Better Internet for Kids

As every year, the Estonian SIC invited all schools, kindergartens and youth centres in Estonia to celebrate Safer Internet Day by organising awareness events for children and young people. To encourage this, the Estonian SIC compiled an online set of new awareness materials, together with information about different competitions.

Everyone who informed the Estonian SIC of their awareness event was placed on the map, which can be found on the website of the SIC.

SID 2020 awareness events in schools, kindergartens and youth centres

Altogether, 270 events were organised in kindergartens, schools and youth centres all over Estonia. Among schools, the Cyberpin Test proved to be very popular, and schools also organised thematic lessons and workshops for students, online and offline quizzes, poster competitions, and so on. More information (in English) can be found on the website of the Estonian SIC.

On Safer Internet Day, three workshops for teachers were organised by the Estonian SIC. The aim of the workshops was to encourage teachers to develop lesson plans for children and students on safe and responsible use of digital technologies and behaviour online. Altogether, 77 teachers from 62 schools and kindergartens participated in the workshops, and 21 new lesson plans were developed. The lesson plans are available for teachers online.

Additionally, a SID thematic special edition of the web magazine Märka Last (Notice a Child) was published on Tuesday, 11 February 2020, with articles related to smarter and safer use of the internet and digital devices, to children's experiences and thoughts about online communication; and the role of parents in the digital era. Readers can also find information about SID events, and hotline and helpline activities, including statistics. This special edition was prepared by the Estonian SIC, in collaboration with authors from Telia Estonia, SK ID Solutions, the Data Protection Inspectorate, the Police and Border Guard Board, to name only a few. The online magazine can be browsed on the Estonian SIC's website.

Cover page of SID thematic special edition of online magazine Märka Last (Notice a Child)

For SID, the Estonian SIC also published a video with the message "The child acts as the parent does, not as the parent says", to emphasise the importance for parents to be role models, also in the online environment. The video was disseminated on social media. This awareness campaign was promoted and supported by Facebook, and by the Prime Minister of Estonia, Jüri Ratas.

Screenshot from the SID video

Cooperating with different stakeholders and target groups is a key component for making the internet a better place for everyone. Together for a better internet!

For more information about Safer Internet Day activities in Estonia, visit the Estonian Safer Internet Centre's Safer Internet Day profile page.

Find out more information about the work of the Estonian Safer Internet Centre (SIC) generally, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services, or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.