Safer Internet Day 2024 in Colombia
Safer Internet Day campaign efforts in Colombia addressed one of the main concerns of parents and caregivers when it comes to their children: determining the appropriate timing and manner for introducing a child to their first electronic device.
Online challenges on social media
New challenges occur regularly online, especially following social media trends. Their popularity among children is variable. Prevention comes through a frank and straightforward dialogue with children and youth, even among those who seem not to be interested. Challenges often unfold privately, for example, in a teenager’s bedroom, away from adults.
Child Focus and the private sector raise awareness for a secure and responsible use of internet among children
During the lockdown period, Child Focus noticed a considerable increase in online safety issues among children. In a year, non-consensual sexting and grooming cases increased by 50 per cent, and cases of sexual extortion of minors have doubled. Therefore, several companies have decided to include a commitment to a “better internet” in the goals of their corporate social responsibility.
GPS: a prevention tool for victims of teenage perpetrators of human trafficking
Child Focus launched Girl Power Squad (GPS), a unique educational tool aimed at professionals in the youth welfare services working with vulnerable girls around the issue of teenage perpetrators of human trafficking. This tool is aimed at young girls aged 11 and older.
Child Focus launches prevention programme: “Every child of 12 should have a Max”
"Malika (the name is an alias) is 12 years old. After arguing with her family, she left home without her ID or smartphone. Malika’s mother is expecting her to come back later that night. She does not. Hours go by. Without any news, Child Focus opens a case and starts the research with the police. Everything is set up to find Malika in good health: call to witnesses, posters… But there are no solid leads. After three weeks of intense research, the young girl is finally found,” says Miguel Torres Garcia, Deputy Chief Operation Officer at Child Focus. “Each year, we open about 700 cases like Malika’s”. What if Malika had a person she trusts to talk to? Someone who is available to listen to her? Do you think she would have chosen to run away from her problems?
Sexuality online: interview with Vânia Beliz
Vânia Beliz is the author of several books on sex education. In an interview promoted by the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre and published in the Forum Estudante Magazine, the clinical psychologist specialising in sexology reflects on some of the main risks and consequences associated with combining sexuality and new technologies.
Safer Internet Day 2021 in Belgium: act together for a better internet
Safer Internet Day, the worldwide day for a better internet, was back for its 18th edition. Turning the internet into a fun, fulfilling, and safe space is more than ever a priority during this public health crisis, where children massively use screens for social contact. An intergenerational dialogue is even more essential, as more than 60 per cent of children use the internet for more than four hours a day in Belgium. How can we facilitate this dialogue and promote a responsible and creative use of social media?
#MeToo movement in Greece inspires youth panel to influence their peers to #Speak
Following the emergence and successful spread of the #MeToo movement in Greece, the Greek Youth Panel was inspired to create a similar campaign targeted at Greek adults, children, and youth. The #Speak (#Mila) campaign’s purpose is to raise awareness of sexual harassment and cyberbullying and to encourage both victims and witnesses to speak up and break the silence on those issues.
CyberSquad: Never alone, together and stronger online!
CyberSquad is a citizen movement that marks the beginning of an era showing solidarity and positivity for children and youth online. With the support of MolenGeek, Google, and Test Achats, Belgian Safer Internet Centre Child Focus launched the web platform CyberSquad, which is aimed at and elaborated on by teenagers. The goal is to offer a space to share and exchange, where they can find answers and some help related to their online concerns.
Digitalisation and climate: a guide for a more conscious life
The Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, in collaboration with the Portuguese Institute for Sport and Youth (IPDJ), translated and adapted the Austrian guide on “Digitalisation and climate: environmental awareness in the digital world." The aim is to provide "suggestions for a conscious life in the area of tension between digitalisation and climate." The motto of this publication is "Think first, then click'.
