On Safer Internet Day 2024, the Lithuanian Safer Internet Centre focused on Skaitmeninės higienos svarba šiandienos pasaulyje (The importance of digital hygiene in today’s world). Additionally, the centre orchestrated numerous side events on the following days as part of a week of activities.
After consulting the public and the Youth Council, the Lithuanian Safer Internet Centre concluded that digital hygiene was a relevant focus topic for this year’s celebrations. Indeed, just as regular dental care routines prevent visits to the dentist, practising good digital hygiene helps prevent a range of problems, from negative moods and anxiety to visiting the police or hospitals. The main event was organised in a hybrid format with students, teachers, educators and librarians invited to attend in person in the second biggest city in Lithuania, Kaunas, or online. The event was streamed online on YouTube and was open to the public.
One important aspect of the event was the involvement of the Lithuanian Youth Council (Lithuanian Young Internet Ambassadors). In the previous months, the Youth Council had been working to design games young people could play with their peers to learn more about being safe online. During the event, Youth Council members presented their games to the audience and showed how to play them.
The Safer Internet Day event also featured two guest presenters. Rasa Jauniškienė, the founder of the Digital Ethics Centre, provided a comprehensive overview of the importance of digital hygiene. Her presentation included some shocking statistics, such as the screen time of some teenagers, as well as tips on how to reduce their dependency on technologies and form better habits. The second presentation was given by Pavel Donec, a representative from the Lithuanian Police, who shared valuable insights on ways to recognise and avoid sexual predators, the steps that should be taken to reduce child sexual abuse, and what to think about before interacting with strangers online.
In addition, a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award Lithuania representative attended the event and briefly presented the programme. The Lithuanian Safer Internet Centre strongly collaborates with the Duke of Edinburgh Award and helps to cross-promote the programme. The DofE programme has numerous active youth members looking for volunteering opportunities and is inspired by the Lithuanian SIC Youth Council.
Overall, the main Safer Internet Day event was a huge success, with many teachers, educators, and librarians attending. It is also worth noting that the event had a good reach among vulnerable groups, such as people living in very small towns and distant locations, as well as those with learning disabilities. A key aim is to increase the number of participants from national minorities in the future.
During a whole week of activities, all libraries in Lithuania were invited to organise public viewings of the documentary TikTok Boom, which addresses the problems created by the new concept of influencing and video content creation. A total of 1,267 viewers across 50 different sessions were recorded from all over Lithuania.
One of the consortium partners, RRT, collaborated with a well-known artist in Lithuania and created a live version of the Safer Internet Centre mascot. The blue bear mascot is made of shattered phone screens and symbolises the connection between the digital and physical worlds and the fragility of this boundary. Sometimes, the connection is seamless, but it can shatter at any moment and make us ‘bleed’.
Another event worth mentioning is an information session with the youngest internet users and their parents. This event was organised to better understand the most relevant safety topics for young children and inform them of the best practices offered by the Safer Internet Centre in Lithuania. Another event was a training session offered by the consortium partner Langas į ateitį for trainers, educators, and teachers. This session was presented in collaboration with an industry partner – ESET, and signifies the importance of the Safer Internet Centre Lithuania to the local industry.
Overall, Safer Internet Day and Safer Internet Week were successful in Lithuania. Although these events were organised with modest resources, their reach and impact were palpable, and the quality of the events was perceived as high.
Learn more about the Safer Internet Day in Lithuania or learn more about the work of the Lithuanian Safer Internet Centre more generally.
On Safer Internet Day 2024, the Lithuanian Safer Internet Centre focused on Skaitmeninės higienos svarba šiandienos pasaulyje (The importance of digital hygiene in today’s world). Additionally, the centre orchestrated numerous side events on the following days as part of a week of activities.
After consulting the public and the Youth Council, the Lithuanian Safer Internet Centre concluded that digital hygiene was a relevant focus topic for this year’s celebrations. Indeed, just as regular dental care routines prevent visits to the dentist, practising good digital hygiene helps prevent a range of problems, from negative moods and anxiety to visiting the police or hospitals. The main event was organised in a hybrid format with students, teachers, educators and librarians invited to attend in person in the second biggest city in Lithuania, Kaunas, or online. The event was streamed online on YouTube and was open to the public.
One important aspect of the event was the involvement of the Lithuanian Youth Council (Lithuanian Young Internet Ambassadors). In the previous months, the Youth Council had been working to design games young people could play with their peers to learn more about being safe online. During the event, Youth Council members presented their games to the audience and showed how to play them.
The Safer Internet Day event also featured two guest presenters. Rasa Jauniškienė, the founder of the Digital Ethics Centre, provided a comprehensive overview of the importance of digital hygiene. Her presentation included some shocking statistics, such as the screen time of some teenagers, as well as tips on how to reduce their dependency on technologies and form better habits. The second presentation was given by Pavel Donec, a representative from the Lithuanian Police, who shared valuable insights on ways to recognise and avoid sexual predators, the steps that should be taken to reduce child sexual abuse, and what to think about before interacting with strangers online.
In addition, a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award Lithuania representative attended the event and briefly presented the programme. The Lithuanian Safer Internet Centre strongly collaborates with the Duke of Edinburgh Award and helps to cross-promote the programme. The DofE programme has numerous active youth members looking for volunteering opportunities and is inspired by the Lithuanian SIC Youth Council.
Overall, the main Safer Internet Day event was a huge success, with many teachers, educators, and librarians attending. It is also worth noting that the event had a good reach among vulnerable groups, such as people living in very small towns and distant locations, as well as those with learning disabilities. A key aim is to increase the number of participants from national minorities in the future.
During a whole week of activities, all libraries in Lithuania were invited to organise public viewings of the documentary TikTok Boom, which addresses the problems created by the new concept of influencing and video content creation. A total of 1,267 viewers across 50 different sessions were recorded from all over Lithuania.
One of the consortium partners, RRT, collaborated with a well-known artist in Lithuania and created a live version of the Safer Internet Centre mascot. The blue bear mascot is made of shattered phone screens and symbolises the connection between the digital and physical worlds and the fragility of this boundary. Sometimes, the connection is seamless, but it can shatter at any moment and make us ‘bleed’.
Another event worth mentioning is an information session with the youngest internet users and their parents. This event was organised to better understand the most relevant safety topics for young children and inform them of the best practices offered by the Safer Internet Centre in Lithuania. Another event was a training session offered by the consortium partner Langas į ateitį for trainers, educators, and teachers. This session was presented in collaboration with an industry partner – ESET, and signifies the importance of the Safer Internet Centre Lithuania to the local industry.
Overall, Safer Internet Day and Safer Internet Week were successful in Lithuania. Although these events were organised with modest resources, their reach and impact were palpable, and the quality of the events was perceived as high.
Learn more about the Safer Internet Day in Lithuania or learn more about the work of the Lithuanian Safer Internet Centre more generally.
- sexual exploitation Safer Internet Day (SID) Safer Internet Centre (SIC)
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