Better Internet for Kids

The ambassadors led an interactive breakout session titled "Your life online: safe, fair and in control (or not?)". As Dimitris (CY) recalled, the ambassadors

 "[we] didn't want a traditional setup where experts just talk at young people. Instead, we put the participants in the driver's seat. Our goal was to empower young people to truly thrive online, not just survive on a daily basis. We started by exploring real-life scenarios, like watching a short video depicting cyberbullying, to understand young adults' reporting behaviours and the main barriers they face when seeking help. Then, we moved into a "Boost the system" co-creation activity. We tasked groups with identifying modern problems in 3 categories and designing concrete solutions for them. It was incredible to watch young people as well as adults debate and suggest changes to AI chatbots to prevent users from outsourcing their learning, thereby protecting independent, critical thinking. We also tackled the heavy burden of online peer pressure and brainstormed ways to change reporting mechanisms so young people can safely ask for help without feeling judged. Throughout this process, we also highlighted the vital support provided by the Safer Internet Centres across Europe."

Seran (AT) offered another heartfelt testimony, sharing how proud she was of the session they had put together:

 "What made me especially proud was how deeply our message resonated. Our session felt alive, meaningful, and impactful. It showed that when young people come together with a shared purpose, they can truly make a difference. I felt incredibly proud of my fellow participants, of our coordinators and of our collective effort to make the internet a safer and more accessible space for everyone."

All the BIK Youth Ambassadors were deeply engaged with the themes of the EYW, underscoring how important youth participation is. As Maria (RO) put it:

 "I chose to take part in the European Youth Week because, for me, youth participation should be more than just a slogan. It should be real, visible, and impactful. This event promised exactly that: a space where young people are not only present but also heard, challenged, and encouraged to turn ideas into action. I wanted to be part of that energy and contribute to something meaningful."

She added:

 "Another strong motivation was the opportunity to meet young people from across Europe who are equally driven to create change. We are living through one of the most significant technological shifts in history, and it is shaping the way we communicate, learn, and engage with the world."

Everyone left the event feeling inspired and brimming with fresh ideas. Asked what he would take away from the experience, Yevgeny (MT) said:

 "I will certainly take back the memories and friendships created as well as information which I have gained from the different sessions which I participated in, ranging from AI to Erasmus opportunities to current challenges faced by young people in the EU. Looking back on the event, I have learnt a lot, and I am even more determined in making youth voices be heard and championing their rights, as youth are a cornerstone of our society."

We'll leave the final word to Devansh (SE), who summed up the spirit of the day perfectly: 

"It is difficult to get one's voice heard in today's world, but no meaningful change can be achieved by sitting at home. I hope that you, dear reader, feel as inspired as I was and take a meaningful step forward, engaging in what you truly care about. As the banners in the Parliament said: ‘This banner won't change anything. You will.’"

Learn more about European Youth Week.

Learn more about the BIK Youth programme.