Better Internet for Kids

Today, the Insafe and INHOPE networks are meeting in Warsaw, Poland, to explore areas of common ground and opportunities for closer working between helplines, hotlines, and awareness centres in a two-day training meeting. It is also an opportunity to discuss a range of online safety issues, including deep nudes, sextortion, gender-based violence and adult content, and consider the challenges that are likely to face Safer Internet Centres in the future.

This year, Microsoft and the National Republican Guard (GNR) have again partnered up to celebrate Safer Internet Day and to increase awareness about the importance of online safety. This year was more special, as Microsoft and Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR) are marking ten years of partnership working together to promote a safer internet.

In today’s interconnected world, young people are increasingly exposed to digital marketing practices. From social media platforms to mobile apps and video games, the online landscape overflows with advertisements and persuasive tactics. AdWiseOnline campaign resources aim to equip YOU(th) with the knowledge they need to outsmart online ads and traps and know their rights.

As part of the #MediaSmartOnline campaign, aiming to spotlight media literacy actions across Europe and running in cooperation with the and the Media Learning Association (MLA) within the framework of the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) initiative, we are producing articles on a series of focus topics related to media literacy. This week, we’re diving into online hate speech.

The Google summit on Fighting Misinformation online took place in Brussels on Thursday, 21 March 2024. The event served as an opportunity to reflect on emerging disinformation trends and media literacy challenges moving forward, and especially in the context of the upcoming European elections, followed by other crucial elections in the United States and India later in the year. One of the sessions was called "Building Trust - Media Literacy with and for Young Voters" and saw the involvement and participation of eight BIK Youth Ambassadors. Keep reading for a recap of the day.

One of the aims of the European Commission’s Better Internet for Kids programme is to build capacity in Europe (and beyond) for creating safer and better online experiences for children and young people. One way of doing this is by sharing good practices developed through work within the context of the Insafe and INHOPE networks of Safer Internet Centres and other key stakeholders. As such, two new good practice guides have recently been published.

As part of the #MediaSmartOnline campaign, aiming to spotlight media literacy actions across Europe and running in cooperation with the network of Safer Internet Centres (SICs) and the Learning Association (MLA) within the framework of the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) initiative, we are producing articles on a series of focus topics related to media literacy. This week, we’re diving into disinformation and misinformation.

In March 2024, the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre (CIS) partnered up with the Godinhela Association and gave a webinar on the topic “Disinformation and Cybersecurity” to several educators. This webinar is part of a webinar series covering topics related with media and information literacy and is part of the MIC-MAC project.

Removing illegal material that depicts the sexual abuse of real children from the internet makes a significant impact on our society. This content is often shared and distributed across borders through the internet, underscoring the importance of working collectively as a worldwide network. The work done by INHOPE hotlines includes not only removing such material online but also providing key intelligence to law enforcement partners which leads to the safeguarding of victims and the identification of perpetrators.

For Safer Internet Day 2024, the Swedish Safer Internet Centre chose to celebrate for a whole week by hosting several activities, together with several key stakeholders. The consortium took special action to encourage other actors around Sweden to do something independently during Safer Internet Week.