Better Internet for Kids

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.

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.

While simultaneously facing the war in Ukraine, schools, youth centres, libraries and non-governmental organisations recently took part in the traditional annual Safer Internet Day celebrations. The Ukrainian Safer Internet Day Committee has been working all year long to reinforce the efforts of all stakeholders to bring the celebration of Safer Internet Day to each region of Ukraine.

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.

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 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 virtual worlds and immersive realitites.

On Tuesday, 27 February 2024, Maja, our BIK Youth Ambassador from Poland, participated in the Content with Conscience conference in Brussels. She was one of the speakers at the breakout session ‘Ethics of kidfluences, mom/dad influencers, and sharing’. She shares her experience and insights, offering a unique perspective on the discussed topics.

The Spanish National Cybersecurity Institute (INCIBE), dependent on the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Service, celebrated the 21st edition of Safer Internet Day on Tuesday, 6 February 2024. This year, the event was organised under the slogan “Together for a better Internet” and took place both in person and online. The in-person activities were in Madrid, where cybersecurity experts, government representatives and members of civil society met to address current and future challenges related to cybersecurity.

This year, the French Safer Internet Centre conducted a Safer Internet Day campaign focused on online responsibilities, with the slogan "Connected, Engaged, and You?". The objective was to raise awareness among the public about the concept of online responsibility for us, others, and the planet. This campaign led to the creation of school workshop kits, family guides, and a successful social media campaign supported by 19 content creators. With a reach exceeding 1,5 million people, they captured the attention of a broad parent audience.