Safer Internet Centre (SIC) Slovenia is the national project promoting and ensuring a better internet for kids. The project is run by a consortium of partners coordinated by the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ljubljana, the Academic and Research Network of Slovenia (ARNES), the Slovenian Association of Friends of Youth (ZPMS), and the Youth Information and Counselling Center of Slovenia (MISSS). Jointly, they work together to raise awareness of the Digital Servies ACT (DSA) in Slovenia. 

Children and young people 

The DSA is included in workshops for schools in Slovenia. Between 700 and 800 of these are delivered each year. This is the main method the SIC uses to reach children and young people, so it is the perfect place to include topics such as the DSA. Children are encouraged to use the tools provided by the DSA, and there is a special slide integrated into the workshops that explains some of the most important facts. The content is tailored to the focus of the workshop, so, for example, if the main focus is on internet addiction, then more focus will be placed on addictive elements and those that are not permitted under the DSA. If the focus were on cyberbullying, this would address the tools and procedures that the VLOPs must provide under the DSA, such as those for reporting. 

The visually appealing and user-friendly leaflet, “Do you know that you have rights on social media?”, introduces young users to their digital rights under the DSA. The leaflet empowers users, and especially young people, to understand their rights and encourages responsible digital behaviour.  It highlights key protections enforced within the EU, such as the prohibition of targeted data collection from minors, the ban on manipulative design patterns (known as "dark patterns"), the requirement for clear and readable terms of service, and protections against harmful content and misleading advertising. 

An online version of the leaflet (in Slovenian) is available here. An additional easy-to-read version, adapted to the needs of children with learning and reading disabilities or language barriers, is available at the same link. 

Parents and caregivers 

In May 2025, Safe.si, the awareness strand of the Slovenian Safer Internet Centre, organised a webinar for parents. Titled “Your child on social networks”, the session explored the risks children face on platforms, and especially those designed to maximise user engagement. Topics included manipulative design patterns, recommender algorithms, privacy violations, and exposure to harmful content. The webinar also highlighted how the EU’s Digital Services Act is helping to mitigate these risks by enforcing stricter regulations on platforms to protect minors online. The webinar was well-attended and praised for its practical relevance, expert speakers, and engaging format. The recording (in Slovenian) is available here. 

Teachers and educators 

The Slovenian awareness centre, Safe.si, raises awareness and informs teachers about all key aspects of the DSA, through various training sessions and lectures it organises for educators. 

Research 

The 2025 Slovenian national representative survey on digital citizenship, conducted by the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ljubljana, reveals extensive use of very large online platforms (VLOPs, designated as such under the DSA), such as YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, among Slovenian adolescents aged 12–17. Nearly all respondents reported using these platforms, with YouTube being the most popular. Alarmingly, 80 per cent of 12–15-year-olds admitted to using these services before the minimum age of 13, often bypassing age restrictions with ease. The survey also found that a majority of Slovenian youth are exposed to profiling-based advertising, which most find annoying. As many as 80 per cent encounter disturbing or harmful content on VLOPs, including violence, sexual material, and pro-suicide messages, often through algorithmic recommendations. Reporting mechanisms for harmful content are underused and often perceived as ineffective or unclear, especially among younger users. 

Screen time is another concern, with a significant portion of youth spending over three hours daily on social media, and many acknowledging they use these platforms more than they would like. Features like infinite scroll and short-form videos were cited as key drivers of prolonged use. While some parental controls are in place, only a third of parents actively monitor their children's digital activity. The survey underscores the urgent need for stronger digital safeguards on VLOPs, better age verification, and more effective content moderation to protect young users online. 

Working with the DSC 

The Slovenian Safer Internet Centre works closely with the Agency for Communication Networks and Services of the Republic of Slovenia (AKOS), the Slovenian Digital Service Coordinator, which plays a central role in enforcing the DSA in Slovenia. 

Interested in learning more about the DSA?

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.

Interested in learning more about activities in Slovenia?

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