This year’s Safer Internet Day was marked by meaningful conversations, peer learning, and youth engagement. By creating a space for open dialogue, the initiative encouraged participants to reflect on their online experiences and think more critically about the digital environment they navigate every day.
One of the most impactful initiatives was the active involvement of youth panellists who took a leading role in discussing important online safety topics with other children and young people.
The youth panellists themselves selected the topics they wanted to explore. These included issues that are highly relevant to young people today, such as disinformation and fake news, protection of personal data, social media exposure, and the concept of a digital footprint. By choosing topics that resonated with their own experiences, the panellists were able to approach the discussions with authenticity and confidence.
The idea behind the initiative was simple but powerful: young people often feel more comfortable sharing their opinions and experiences with peers. The youth panellists, therefore, facilitated discussions with younger children and peers of the same age. Rather than delivering a traditional lecture, they encouraged participants to express their views, ask questions, and reflect on how they interact with digital technologies.
These conversations revealed a wide range of perspectives. Some participants were already aware of issues such as the long-term impact of a digital footprint or the risks associated with sharing personal information online. Others were encountering these ideas for the first time. The discussions created an opportunity to explore these topics together and to identify common misconceptions or gaps in knowledge.
To support the youth panellists in facilitating these discussions, the topics were backed by reliable information provided by experts from the helpline. Their expertise ensured that the content shared during the sessions was accurate, relevant, and age appropriate.
In addition, the structure of the discussions was reviewed by the helpline experts, who provided feedback and suggestions to ensure that the sessions were clear, engaging, and informative.
One of the key successes of the initiative was the peer-to-peer approach. When young people take the lead in discussing digital challenges, the conversation becomes more relatable and dynamic. Participants were more willing to speak openly, share personal experiences, and ask questions that they might not raise in a more formal setting.
Another important element was the collaborative preparation process. Youth panellists worked closely with coordinators and experts to prepare the discussion topics and ensure that the information shared was both accurate and accessible. This collaboration helped create a balanced approach that combined youth perspectives with professional guidance.
The experience demonstrated that empowering young people to lead conversations about online safety can be highly effective. By involving youth not only as participants but also as facilitators, the initiative strengthened their sense of responsibility and encouraged critical thinking about their digital behaviour.
As digital environments continue to evolve, initiatives that promote peer learning and youth participation will remain essential. The discussions organised for Safer Internet Day showed that when young people are given the opportunity to speak, listen, and learn from one another, they can become powerful advocates for a safer and more responsible internet.
Find out more about Safer Internet Day in Bulgaria. Alternatively, find more information about the work of the Bulgarian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
More on digital and socia-cultural environment
This year’s Safer Internet Day was marked by meaningful conversations, peer learning, and youth engagement. By creating a space for open dialogue, the initiative encouraged participants to reflect on their online experiences and think more critically about the digital environment they navigate every day.
One of the most impactful initiatives was the active involvement of youth panellists who took a leading role in discussing important online safety topics with other children and young people.
The youth panellists themselves selected the topics they wanted to explore. These included issues that are highly relevant to young people today, such as disinformation and fake news, protection of personal data, social media exposure, and the concept of a digital footprint. By choosing topics that resonated with their own experiences, the panellists were able to approach the discussions with authenticity and confidence.
The idea behind the initiative was simple but powerful: young people often feel more comfortable sharing their opinions and experiences with peers. The youth panellists, therefore, facilitated discussions with younger children and peers of the same age. Rather than delivering a traditional lecture, they encouraged participants to express their views, ask questions, and reflect on how they interact with digital technologies.
These conversations revealed a wide range of perspectives. Some participants were already aware of issues such as the long-term impact of a digital footprint or the risks associated with sharing personal information online. Others were encountering these ideas for the first time. The discussions created an opportunity to explore these topics together and to identify common misconceptions or gaps in knowledge.
To support the youth panellists in facilitating these discussions, the topics were backed by reliable information provided by experts from the helpline. Their expertise ensured that the content shared during the sessions was accurate, relevant, and age appropriate.
In addition, the structure of the discussions was reviewed by the helpline experts, who provided feedback and suggestions to ensure that the sessions were clear, engaging, and informative.
One of the key successes of the initiative was the peer-to-peer approach. When young people take the lead in discussing digital challenges, the conversation becomes more relatable and dynamic. Participants were more willing to speak openly, share personal experiences, and ask questions that they might not raise in a more formal setting.
Another important element was the collaborative preparation process. Youth panellists worked closely with coordinators and experts to prepare the discussion topics and ensure that the information shared was both accurate and accessible. This collaboration helped create a balanced approach that combined youth perspectives with professional guidance.
The experience demonstrated that empowering young people to lead conversations about online safety can be highly effective. By involving youth not only as participants but also as facilitators, the initiative strengthened their sense of responsibility and encouraged critical thinking about their digital behaviour.
As digital environments continue to evolve, initiatives that promote peer learning and youth participation will remain essential. The discussions organised for Safer Internet Day showed that when young people are given the opportunity to speak, listen, and learn from one another, they can become powerful advocates for a safer and more responsible internet.
Find out more about Safer Internet Day in Bulgaria. Alternatively, find more information about the work of the Bulgarian Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services, or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.
- digital footprint youth empowerment youth panel fake news
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