As young people increasingly access information through social media and online platforms, developing the skills to critically assess digital content has become an essential component of digital citizenship education. Alongside the opportunities offered by online information, young people are also exposed to misinformation, manipulated content, deepfakes, and harmful online behaviour, making media and information literacy more important than ever.
To help address these challenges, Internet Sans Crainte has developed Mission Cybersentinelle, an educational module designed for young people aged 16 to 25. The module aims not only to strengthen participants' understanding of today's digital information ecosystem but also to encourage them to become "cyber sentinels"; young people who can support their peers in navigating the online world safely and responsibly.
What the module covers
Designed primarily for upper secondary schools and youth organisations, the module uses practical examples drawn from young people's everyday digital experiences to explain how information is created, circulated, and amplified online. Participants explore the mechanisms behind social media platforms, including how algorithms influence attention, shape online experiences, and contribute to the spread of misleading or false information.
The module encourages participants to develop practical critical thinking skills by adopting simple and systematic approaches to verifying online information. Through interactive activities and real-life scenarios, young people learn how to distinguish reliable sources from misleading content and better understand the importance of questioning information before sharing it.
Beyond media literacy, the module promotes responsible online participation by introducing young people to their rights and responsibilities in digital environments. Participants are encouraged to reflect on respectful online behaviour and are given practical guidance on recognising and reporting harmful content.
A peer-to-peer approach
A distinctive feature of Mission Cybersentinelle is its peer-to-peer approach. Rather than focusing solely on individual awareness, the module encourages participants to become ambassadors within their own communities, equipping them to share good practices and support other young people in developing safer and more informed digital habits.
By combining media literacy, critical thinking and digital citizenship, Mission Cybersentinelle contributes to preparing young people for an increasingly complex online information environment. The module reflects Internet Sans Crainte's broader commitment to empowering young people with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to participate responsibly in digital society.
Discover the Mission Cybersentinelle module on the Internet Sans Crainte website.
Find more information about the work of the French Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness-raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
More from this author
As young people increasingly access information through social media and online platforms, developing the skills to critically assess digital content has become an essential component of digital citizenship education. Alongside the opportunities offered by online information, young people are also exposed to misinformation, manipulated content, deepfakes, and harmful online behaviour, making media and information literacy more important than ever.
To help address these challenges, Internet Sans Crainte has developed Mission Cybersentinelle, an educational module designed for young people aged 16 to 25. The module aims not only to strengthen participants' understanding of today's digital information ecosystem but also to encourage them to become "cyber sentinels"; young people who can support their peers in navigating the online world safely and responsibly.
What the module covers
Designed primarily for upper secondary schools and youth organisations, the module uses practical examples drawn from young people's everyday digital experiences to explain how information is created, circulated, and amplified online. Participants explore the mechanisms behind social media platforms, including how algorithms influence attention, shape online experiences, and contribute to the spread of misleading or false information.
The module encourages participants to develop practical critical thinking skills by adopting simple and systematic approaches to verifying online information. Through interactive activities and real-life scenarios, young people learn how to distinguish reliable sources from misleading content and better understand the importance of questioning information before sharing it.
Beyond media literacy, the module promotes responsible online participation by introducing young people to their rights and responsibilities in digital environments. Participants are encouraged to reflect on respectful online behaviour and are given practical guidance on recognising and reporting harmful content.
A peer-to-peer approach
A distinctive feature of Mission Cybersentinelle is its peer-to-peer approach. Rather than focusing solely on individual awareness, the module encourages participants to become ambassadors within their own communities, equipping them to share good practices and support other young people in developing safer and more informed digital habits.
By combining media literacy, critical thinking and digital citizenship, Mission Cybersentinelle contributes to preparing young people for an increasingly complex online information environment. The module reflects Internet Sans Crainte's broader commitment to empowering young people with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to participate responsibly in digital society.
Discover the Mission Cybersentinelle module on the Internet Sans Crainte website.
Find more information about the work of the French Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness-raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
- media literacy fake news disinformation infodemic peer to peer
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