Better Internet for Kids

The Media Literacy Week is organised by the National Audiovisual Institute (KAVI) and it is part of the awareness-raising work done by the Finnish Safer Internet Centre. MLW aims to advance the media literacy skills of children, young people and adults as well as to support professional educators, guardians and other educators in their important media educational tasks. In 2023, the week was carried out together with 58 partner organisations from all sectors of society, increasing the number of partners by 10 when compared to last year. We were happy to include, for example, organisations that develop libraries as well as the European Consumer Centre Finland. 

Together with the partner organisations, 85 educational materials in both Finnish, Swedish and Sámi language were published for the MLW, and 30 events were organised both online and onsite. 2,300 professionals registered for the week, including teachers from early childhood education, basic education for children under 15 years, youth workers, librarians, and representatives of various associations. Each of them wishes to take media skills forward in their own field, even after the end of the Media Literacy Week. In this way, thousands and thousands of children, young people, adults and senior citizens are reached. 

During the week, the SIC organised numerous communication and dissemination activities on social media channels. By following social media, one could also follow the activities of the participants. To name a few: in a kindergarten, small children made their own news, which they broadcasted on a cardboard television. Many youth centres had focused activities about cyberbullying, school children participated in an anti-advertising workshop in a library, a philosophical magazine published funny graphics about false conclusions in the media, and seniors learned digital skills. 

Materials and events for everyone, covering the whole country 

This year, we had more participants from the Swedish-speaking minority in Finland than before, including the Aland Islands. Other linguistic and cultural minorities were also considered. The Sámi are indigenous people of Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia. Partner organisations and KAVI published media education materials in different Sámi languages. Also, materials in plain language were published to support media education of those who need special support in learning. 

Each year as part of MLW, a Media Literacy Magazine is published online. In the magazine, partner organisations can publish articles related to their current work with media literacy, media education and media skills. In addition, the magazine includes more general articles from the editorial team. Media Literacy Magazine 2023 had 1,563 readers by the end of February. 

The Media Literacy Week is developed with the purpose to also gather feedback. After the active campaign period, both participating professionals and organising partners are asked for feedback. The feedback has an important role in the development of the following editions of the Media Literacy Week. This year, 198 participating professionals and 20 partner organisations answered the feedback form. According to the feedback, tips and materials are much appreciated, and the themes and topics were found useful and relevant. 

This year, the Finnish SIC tested something new: we printed five brochures divided by age group, in which the partners' material was presented. The total amount ofprinted brochures was 3,600. Participants could order the booklet for free, and it was also distributed at educational fairs. Also, these brochures received positive feedback. 

Find out more about Safer Internet Day celebrations in Finland by visiting the Finnish Safer Internet Day profile page, or find out more about Safer Internet Day more generally at www.saferinternetday.org. 

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