The joint hotline website www.internet-beschwerdestelle.de/de/index.html now offers multi-faceted information on the phenomenon itself, explanations on its relevance for young people and specific guidance on how to act responsibly when sending ("Think before you send!") or receiving ("Be aware of your responsibility!") sexting images or videos.

Another key message addresses parents and educators especially, asking them to be informed and educate their children with the provided support. Through such practical guides and FAQs, FSM and eco aim to foster an educated use of digital media and raise awareness of possible risks, both crucial for an effective approach to fight all forms of sexual exploitation of children and young people.

Both partners promoted the new guide on their social media channels on Facebook and Twitter throughout the awareness day in order to reach as big an audience as possible with the informative and helpful materials. The communication activities have reached more than 16,800 impressions on social media since then.

Several institutions work together within the German SIC: the hotlines of FSM, eco and jugendschutz.net, where illegal content can be reported to; the awareness centre klicksafe; and the helpline Nummer gegen Kummer. The German SIC continuously wants to encourage the public to take advantage of its diverse offers and contribute to a better internet for children and young people.

This article was originally published on the INHOPE website and is replicated here with permission.

Find out more information about the work of the German 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.