Better Internet for Kids

In the ever-expanding digital landscape, staying informed and discerning between fact and fiction online is paramount, particularly for children, parents, and education professionals. the Romanian Safer Internet Centre newsletters address various online phenomena, providing clarity and recognition of these issues when encountered. They also produced a podcast series hosted by Ora de Net program ambassadors, exploring critical thinking, and navigating fake news in the digital age.

On 17 and 18 April 2024, Insafe and INHOPE held a joint training meeting that brought together experts from both networks. The Portuguese Safer Internet Centre (SIC) hosted a session presenting the “ZigZaga na Net” initiative.

While the impulse to share children's precious moments with loved ones is understandable, parents must understand the implications on their child's privacy and security.

In today's hyperconnected world, where the internet has become an integral part of daily life, a new phenomenon has emerged: FOMO, or the Fear Of Missing Out. This pervasive fear drives individuals to constantly seek validation and connection online, often at the expense of their mental well-being and offline experiences. However, amidst the relentless pursuit of virtual validation, there lies a growing movement known as JOMO, or the Joy Of Missing Out. Explore the dynamics of FOMO and JOMO, their impact on mental health and productivity, and strategies for cultivating a healthier relationship with technology to promote overall well-being in the digital age.

Today 21, May 2024, marks the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. This day, proclaimed by the United Nations, highlights the importance of cultural diversity and the essential role it plays in fostering dialogue, understanding, and sustainable development. In an increasingly globalised world, protecting and promoting cultural diversity is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for ensuring peace and prosperity for all.

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) is celebrated annually on 17 May to highlight the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) in our lives and promote its positive impact on global societies. This day marks the anniversary of the founding of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865. This year, the theme is digital innovation for sustainable development.

Today, 16 May 2024, we're celebrating Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD)! GAAD is an awareness day focusing on digital access and inclusion for the more than one billion people alive today who live with disabilities or impairments. It is marked annually on the third Thursday of May. The purpose of GAAD is to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access and inclusion.

Today, the world comes together to celebrate the International Day of Families. The day is an initiative from the United Nations (UN) that highlights the importance of families and promotes awareness of issues related to them globally. This year, the theme, "Families and Climate Change," focuses on the crucial role families play in climate change and promotes sustainable practices.

Joining the Ora de Net Volunteer Programme opens doors to meaningful opportunities for educators across various domains, whether in formal education, alternative education settings, or non-formal methods. The programme offers a platform to engage authentically with children and young people, providing relevant educational resources to facilitate constructive interactions.

The internet offers children and young people many empowering opportunities for personal growth, learning, and social exchange. However, along with these great benefits can come certain risks, including children facing content or services that may be harmful to them.