On 11 February 2025, Aveiro hosted the Portuguese Safer Internet Day (SID) seminar, a key event in the celebrations of the 22nd edition of Safer Internet Day. This year’s theme, Digital Citizenship Education, highlighted the importance of equipping individuals with the necessary skills to navigate the digital world critically, ethically and responsibly. The seminar, organised by the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre Consortium, was part of a wider initiative under the European Year of Digital Citizenship Education, led by the Council of Europe.

The event brought together a diverse audience including educators, policy makers, researchers, young leaders and industry experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities of digital citizenship. With a dynamic programme of keynote speeches, expert panels and youth-led discussions, the seminar provided a platform for deep reflection and constructive debate on how to foster a safer and more inclusive digital environment.

Fernanda Bonacho, lecturer at the School of Social Communication at the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, set the tone for the event with her captivating presentation "Me and my freedom that I don't know how to use: Challenges for media and digital literacy". Her thought-provoking speech captivated the audience and highlighted the complexity of digital freedom and the responsibility that comes with it.

The keynote was followed by the first panel discussion on "Digital Citizenship: Challenges and Opportunities"," which brought together renowned experts to explore how the digital landscape is changing social interactions. Nelson Zagalo, professor and researcher at the University of Aveiro, Susana Tavares, teacher at the GeneralDirectorate of Education, Isabel Santos, executive coordinator of Associação Habilitar (Community Centre for Child and Youth Development - vulnerable groups with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDD) and Hugo Simões, researcher at CIEC-UMinho and coordinator of the anti-bullying plan at the Ílhavo school cluster, exchanged views under the moderation of Madalena Baeta. The discussion centred on key topics such as digital inclusion, misinformation and the role of digital platforms in promoting democracy and civic engagement.

The afternoon gained further momentum with the youth-led panel discussion "Connect with Awareness: What does it mean to be a digital citizen?" with a panel of inspiring young digital leaders. Luís Almeida, Sofia Marissol, José Pedro Caçador, Rita Fernandes and Francisco Santos shared their views on the everyday life of a digital citizen and discussed the responsibilities, risks and opportunities of the digital age. Their enthusiasm and insightful contributions were well received by the audience and demonstrated the important role young people play in shaping the future of the internet. Skilfully moderated by Madalena Baeta, the discussion emphasised the importance of critical thinking, ethical engagement and proactive participation in digital spaces.

The event was further enriched by the presence of two exceptional young hosts, who led the sessions with confidence and enthusiasm, ensuring seamless transitions between discussions and maintaining audience engagement. Their energy and professionalism were widely praised and contributed greatly to the dynamic atmosphere of the seminar.

The success of this event was also made possible by the invaluable support of Aveiro City Council, which played a crucial role. The Mayor of Aveiro, Ribau Esteves, was present at the closing session, as well as Isabel Cabrita, Coordinator of the Centre of Excellence for ICT at the University of Aveiro, and Lino Santos, Coordinator of the National Cybersecurity Centre. In their closing remarks, they emphasised the importance of education, policy and cross-sector collaboration in promoting a digitally literate society. In addition, young volunteers made an important contribution to the logistics of the event. They worked behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the seminar and to help the participants throughout the day. Their dedication and commitment contributed significantly to a welcoming and well-organised event and demonstrated the importance of young people's involvement in shaping digital literacy initiatives.

Throughout the seminar, a clear message emerged: technology is evolving at an unprecedented pace, offering both challenges and opportunities. As Lino Santos noted: 

"The future is not just digital – it is quantic. Our task is to equip people with the skills and values they need to shape this change wisely." 

This call to action emphasises the urgent need to strengthen digital literacy and ensure that democratic values are at the heart of technological development. Similarly, the Mayor of Aveiro emphasised a crucial perspective: 

"The internet is not a world we live in, but a tool we can use in the world we live in". 

This remark got to the heart of the seminar’s discussions — the internet is a tool, but it is human action, awareness, ethics and responsibility that will determine how technology shapes our future.

As the event concluded with a networking reception called “Aveiro de honra”, participants left with a renewed sense of commitment to promoting digital literacy, critical engagement and ethical digital citizenship. With the support of its partners, the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre Consortium continues to drive initiatives that empower citizens to make informed, responsible and meaningful contributions to the digital world.

Take a look at the seminar in the video below:

Learn more about Safer Internet Day activities in Portugal on their SID page on our platform!

Further information about the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre can be found on the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) public portal, including links to its national websites and other contact information. Similar information can be found on the BIK portal for all Safer Internet Centres in Europe.