The Better Internet for Kids annual report 2021 is out
The Better Internet for Kids review of the year 2021 is released on the occasion of Safer Internet Day 2022, Tuesday, 8 February. 2021 was yet another year overshadowed by the global pandemic, with many children and young people obliged to study and socialise online, as daily life was again disrupted by lockdowns. This report provides an overview of a multitude of stakeholder efforts to both protect and empower in their digital lives.
Commit to positive online content choices on Safer Internet Day!
Lockdown (-like) measures and social distancing, families in isolation or quarantine, schools in-between hybrid or distance learning – the ongoing pandemic and its dynamic development is challenging for children and young people, and also for their parents and teachers. Digital content and services play a more important role than ever before when children use and need them daily to stay connected with family and friends, to learn and keep up with homework, as well as to compensate for missing offline activities and cultural events.
Are you ready for Safer Internet Day 2022?
Safer Internet Day (SID) is almost here – on Tuesday, 8 February 2022, we will be millions around the globe, joining forces “Together for a better internet”. How are you going to get involved in celebrating the big day?
Happy Data Protection Day 2022!
Today is Data Protection Day, a celebration established by the Council of Europe whose objective is to educate the public on data protection challenges and inform individuals about their online rights and how to exercise them. The whole week, including Data Protection Day, has been renamed Data Privacy Week, to further highlight the importance of educating on matters of online data protection and privacy in the globalised and connected world we live in.
The state of the digital environment children live in
Today's children and young people are raised in a digital world where technology is an integral part of their lives. The presence of technology from an early age indicates they are connected online more than ever. Children and adolescents account for an estimated one in three internet users around the world. Therefore, a large portion of their everyday lives is spent online, including remote learning, online gaming, or streaming, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Study in Latvia finds that parents play an important role in helping children to spot fake news
Only every third teenager in Latvia checks information before trusting and sharing it on the internet. More than half (57 per cent) admit they haven't learned at school how to analyse information and how to make sure the information is true. Of those who have acquired this skill at school, 49 per cent say that the information and knowledge gained has not been sufficient.
The impact of media on young people
Parents of children aged 0 to 6 have started to think more positively about the effect of media on their child, as compared to previous years. For example, a large majority now believe that media can help their child with language development and math skills, among other things. Parents also see media as a tool to keep the child occupied when they do not have the time themselves, or as a sweetener when the child is bored. In contrast, parents are less positive about the effect of media in relation to online education. More than a quarter of parents of 5-6-year-olds indicate that their child’s performance in school has suffered as a result of online education. All this is apparent from the Iene Miene Media survey 2021 that was presented during the start of the ‘Media Ukkie’ Days (26 March to 2 April 2021).
Irish Safer Internet Centre raises awareness of new Coco’s Law
Webwise, the Irish Safer Internet Centre, has developed a range of new resources to raise awareness of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill (Coco’s Law) which was recently introduced in Ireland. Coco’s Law has criminalised the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.
Children need help in cyberspace
Each generation is spending more and more time behind computers, and screens are now a part of daily life. The current generation of children are using smart devices for leisure as well as for schoolwork and socialising; therefore it’s important to pay attention to the things they are doing online. Catlyn Kirna, CGI cybersecurity expert in Estonia, provides an overview of the main concerns regarding children being online, and what can be done to help them.
Interactive Conversations on Europe's Future for Seniors
As part of the “Interactive Conversations on Europe’s Future” initiative, seniors in Latvia learned about online risks and safety on the internet. From September to November 2021, events took place in 14 different cities across Latvia, organised by the European Commission Representation in Latvia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, and the Latvian Safer Internet Centre.
