Better Internet for Kids

Children have the right to freedom of expression, participation and information, privacy and protection against harmful content. There are obviously many dilemmas that come with this for parents and carers. When is the right time to give your child their first smartphone? Which apps and services should your child have access to and at what age? What about the risk of encountering inappropriate or harmful content? This was the focus topic for Safer Internet Day 2023 in Norway.

As part of their activities, the Dutch Safer Internet Centre recently held a session reflecting on the real-life implications of online hate. Here is a summary of the debate and its conclusions.

Commissioned by the European Commission and in collaboration with PwC, the Centre for Expertise on Online Sexual Child Abuse (EOKM) has developed a tool for a faster removal of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Keep reading to learn more about this new tool.

When your child comes to you with an online sexual abuse problem, you may not know how to respond. Helpwanted.nl, part of the Online Child Abuse Expertise Office (EOKM), gives seven tips on how to talk to a child or young person about sexual abuse problems.

Have you been blackmailed, are nude photos sent to your class, does someone ask you to do things you don't want to do, or do you just have some questions about online safety? It's always good to talk to someone.

A chatbot that can answer questions using artificial intelligence is making its way into the school environment. How can AI tools be used sensibly in the classroom? Saferinternet.at shows ways for teachers and students.

During the European Cybersecurity Month (in October), the Dutch Safer Internet Centre carries out the Alert Online campaign in the Netherlands. As part of the campaign, a survey is issued to investigate the online security behaviour of consumers, businesses and government. Young people are also a part of the survey.

Children and young people with intellectual disabilities also have a right to an enjoyable online life and participation in the digital society. Mediawijsheid (NL) and Mediawijs (BE) give this message at the launch of the short documentary-film "I'm online too!".

In order to extend its action on the territory, the French Safer Internet Centre (SIC) Internet Sans Crainte is actively developing its partnerships with ambassadors in charge of extracurricular leisure centres throughout the country. A new programme they are launching is their Ambassador Programme, meant for all children and young people.

The collaborative game "Max 24/7" inspires young people from 10 to 12 years old to find and be a listening ear for others. In the game, the players get to know nine new students who are in their school or group.