As part of the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) Quality Assurance Programme (QAP), the Insafe-INHOPE Coordination Teams are jointly conducting a set of fifteen country visits to national Safer Internet Centres (SICs) to better understand what is happening in the Member States: monitoring emerging issues and challenges, identifying good practices to be shared, and harvesting the results of Better Internet for Kids (BIK) policy. The national visit to the Safer Internet Centre Albania took place on 14 January 2025. The meeting was held at the premises of the Children Rights Center of Albania (CRCA/ECPAT) in Tirana, Albania.  

Albanian SIC, iSIGURT, was originally the hotline service in the country and there was also an initial partnership with the national child helpline. iSIGURT was established in 2015 as a result of a joint agreement between four government ministries and the Children Rights Center of Albania (CRCA/ECPAT). The key aim of iSIGURT is to provide protection and support to children online from digital harms. The ministries provide support to follow up cases and strengthen the work of iSIGURT with awareness raising and cooperation. The work is done in collaboration with ALO 116 who operate the helpline.  

The awareness centre is developing a series of activities with the aim of raising awareness among children and young people on online safety issues and digital literacy skills. The SIC will carry out an assessment of the risks and needs of children and young people as well as their parents, teachers and child protection officers. Following consultation with children and young people, a national campaign will be launched and there will be information and exchange sessions across the country. Training courses will be organised for teachers and the whole campaign will be evaluated to determine its effectiveness.  

The SIC has developed a number of online campaigns to raise awareness of specific issues such as how to protect children from online violence. They have also actively participated in the recent BIK campaigns such as AdWiseOnline and MediaSmartOnline.

Youth participation activities were presented by Emili a 16-year-old youth panellist from Albania who also took part in the 2024 BIK Youth Panel and Safer Internet Forum (SIF) activities. Emilie shared her reflection and experience participating in the BIK Youth Panel and SIF by mentioning that she appreciated each step of the process.

“Through this experience, I gained valuable knowledge on the subject [sexualisation on the internet] and actively contributed to discussions on strategies to combat this phenomenon and protect young people online with the goal of creating a safer digital environment for everyone.” (Emili, 16-year-old youth ambassador).

In addition, the SIC mentioned that they are in the process of identifying more Safe Internet Ambassadors in Albania. The young people who will be part of the national youth panel will be empowered to become the ones who will strengthen and support other children and young people, promoting internet safety and raising awareness among their peers.

The Albanian national child helpline (ALO 116-111) is a nationwide free service for all children and young people. It is available 24/7 throughout the year and can be contacted using the EU harmonised 116 111 number. The helpline has been operating in Albania since 2009. The helpline provides support for children and young people with any issues or problems that they face, and staff are trained in child and youth issues as well as children’s rights both on and offline. The helpline provides active listening, counselling and will also make referrals to child protection and law enforcement agencies as appropriate. It is the most recognised public service for children and young people.  

The hotline service also runs under iSIGURT.AL. Apart from its day-to-day activities to detect and remove CSAM and other inappropriate materials, it also publishes an Annual Report on Internet Safety in Albania. The hotline fosters strategic partnerships with INHOPE and the project Arachnid.

Further information about the Albanian 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.