Context

The Italian Safer Internet Centre (SIC), Generazioni Connesse, operates under the coordination of the Italian Ministry of Education, in partnership with key national institutions, including the National Communication Authority (AGCOM), the Data Protection Authority, the Authority for Children and Adolescents, the Department for Family Affairs, the National Cybersecurity Agency, the Italian Postal and Communications Police, the University of Florence and La Sapienza University of Rome), communication partner as Skuola.net and leading third-sector organizations such as Giffoni Film Festival, Telefono Azzurro, Save the Children Italy and EDI Cooperative.  

The mission of the Italian SIC is to support children, young people, teachers, educators, parents, and youth professionals in addressing both the opportunities and the risks associated with digital technologies. Its strategic vision is aligned with the core values of Better Internet for Kids, promoting a safe, empowering, and inclusive digital environment for all. Within this framework, the Digital Services Act (DSA) represents a key regulatory development, reinforcing the importance of transparency, accountability, and user protection in the online ecosystem. The Italian SIC has therefore oriented several of its initiatives toward supporting youth participation and literacy concerning the DSA and its implications for digital citizenship. 

Youth panel: structure and purpose

The Italian SIC Youth panel constitutes a central component of the Centre’s participatory approach. It was established through an open call to all jurors of the Giffoni Experience, engaging approximately 5,000 young participants. The panel is composed of 40 young people aged 14–19, ensuring gender balance (50 per cent), diverse educational backgrounds (high school and university), and geographical representation from northern, central, and southern Italy. Particular attention is given to the inclusion of youth with migrant backgrounds and special educational needs or disabilities.

The objective of the panel is to empower young people as active agents in the creation of safer and more inclusive online environments. This approach emphasises youth participation not merely as inclusion, but as a strategic element in decision-making processes. 

Youth panel training on the DSA

The training programme on the DSA is a cornerstone of the SIC’s activities aimed at promoting digital citizenship and critical awareness among young people. The curriculum is age-appropriate, reflecting different developmental stages, and incorporates experiential learning methods designed to engage participants intellectually and emotionally. 

Methodological approach and learning outcomes

• Active learning strategies: analysis of real-life case studies related to online safety and DSA principles, with reflective discussion on consequences and responsibilities.
• Participatory methods: interactive sessions, both online and in-person, encouraging collaboration, co-construction of knowledge, and youth contributions on online regulation and user rights.
• Inclusive tools: icebreakers, gamified activities, and small group discussions to foster engagement and peer-to-peer learning.
• Scenario-based learning: simulations that help internalise the implications of consent, privacy, and transparency within the DSA framework. 

By the end of the training, participants had understood the principles and goals of the DSA, had critically assessed online risks and digital behaviours, had demonstrated heightened awareness of privacy, consent, and data protection, had exercised their rights responsibly as digital citizens within the European digital ecosystem. 

Training programme

Between April 2024 and March 2025, the Italian Safer Internet Centre implemented a comprehensive, multi-stage training programme dedicated to the DSA. The initiative strengthened youth understanding of the DSA’s objectives, mechanisms, and implications for digital citizenship, while empowering participants to act as youth advocates and multipliers in their schools and communities. The programme combined hybrid learning, residential experiences, thematic workshops, and public dissemination events, ensuring both national reach and pedagogical depth. 

Outcomes and impact

The Youth panel training programme on the DSA produced significant outcomes: 

• enhanced comprehension of digital rights and responsibilities under the DSA by the young people;
• development of critical media literacy and civic participation skills;
• strengthened collaboration between youth, institutions, and regulatory authorities;
• creation of youth-generated educational materials adaptable for schools and awareness campaigns. 

Overall, the initiative exemplifies a model of participatory governance and experiential learning, positioning young people not only as beneficiaries but as protagonists in shaping Europe’s safer digital environment. 

International cooperation and youth involvement 

The Italian SIC actively promotes European digital citizenship through transnational collaboration with other EU Safer Internet Centres. Notably, joint initiatives were undertaken with youth panels from Croatia and Austria, fostering dialogue and shared understanding of the DSA and its implications for young users. Moreover, members of the Italian youth panel participated in the European Commission’s consultation process on the DSA, contributing youth perspectives to the development of EU-level policies for safer and fairer digital environments. 

The Italian Safer Internet Centre’s work on the Digital Services Act exemplifies a holistic and participatory approach to digital education and youth empowerment. By combining institutional collaboration, inclusive learning methodologies, and international cooperation, the Centre supports the development of informed, responsible, and empowered young citizens capable of navigating the complexities of the digital ecosystem. Through these efforts, the Italian SIC not only contributes to the effective implementation of the DSA but also reinforces the European commitment to a safer, more transparent, and human-centred digital environment for all. 

Find more information about the work of the Italian Safer Internet Centre, including their awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services – or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.    

Interested in more?

If you are interested in more, explore the DSA for YOUth toolkit to learn how the Digital Services Act (DSA) protects minors by design. There, you will find a family-friendly booklet explaining the DSA guidelines on what online platforms should do to keep kids and teens safe online, easy-to-read explainers, a quiz, and other resources.