Better Internet for Kids

Since 85 per cent of the jobs people will be doing in 2030 do not exist today and will be related to digital technologies and robotisation, it seems obvious that young people must be informed about and given support for the use of digital tools in their daily lives and for their future.

The actors of the French Safer Internet Centre (SIC) programme "Internet Without Fear" ("Internet Sans Crainte") think that programming and digital culture are essential tools to decode the world. They firmly believe that children learn by creating, by being wrong, by trying again – just like when playing video games. For this reason, the French SIC was inspired by video games to create experiences in which young people acquire new skills whilst enjoying their time.

Going from consumer-user to actor-creator
The French SIC has designed Code-Décode, a collection of digital resources to introduce young people to coding and digital culture. Code-Décode comprises courses, videos and apps to encourage children to move from a consumer digital-user status to that of actor-creator. The main citizenship issues are addressed through fun activities. Children use many skills and must work as a team to create content. By learning to code, they learn to decode the digital world around them and develop their critical thinking skills.

Thanks to GameCode, one of Code-Décode's applications, young people create their own video game and discover the behind-the-scenes of video game production. They then become aware of the skills deployed to create a video game. As they progress, they learn to master the digital tool in a responsible way.

To discover Code-Décode, please visit www.code-decode.net.

Find out more information about the work of the French Safer Internet Centre (SIC) generally, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services on the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) portal, or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.