Better Internet for Kids

Some people have difficulties getting on the digital train. They have little or no access to digital media, are frequently confronted in their environment with an attitude of avoidance or negativity towards digital media, and lack knowledge about these media, all of which deprive them of the right to participate fully in the digital society.

Protecting your privacy means above all not sharing too much information. Many young people on social media still tend to publish private information on their profiles, for example the name and address of their school or their phone number. But nowadays, privacy and personal data protection are two essential elements. How can young people be educated about protecting their privacy online?

The Slovenian awareness centre Safe.si has published a new handbook aimed at parents and carers including tips and advice for a safer use of the internet called “Vzgoja za internet – priročnik za starše” (How to educate about the internet - a handbook for parents). The handbook is aimed at parents and carers of primary school pupils, as children become intensive internet users at this age. It contains tips and warnings about the most common online risks young people face.

Summertime is coming! For many young people, this means long days to laze around and more time to play. The internet is a wonderful tool to fill those hours and to fight off boredom. It has the ability to keep you connected with your friends for almost 24 hours a day, you might binge watch series for days on end, or you might choose to play games into the late hours of the night with no curfew. But is being plugged into your devices without restraint the best and healthiest option?

In the context of the current conflict in Ukraine, it is important to be able to activate strategies to encourage positive thinking, resilience and motivation. The Czech Safer Internet Centre shares useful tips and advice to take care of the mental health of both adults and young people during challenging times.

In a time where the COVID-19 global pandemic is still ongoing and a new conflict has surged in Ukraine, it becomes quite common to develop a feeling of powerlessness towards the current events. While it is a natural reaction to crisis situations, it generally comprises a mix of unpleasant emotions including, to various degrees, paralysis, intense sadness and apathy or resignation.

The Digital Youth Forum (DYF) is an event designed for youth, by youth, and about youth on creative and innovative uses of new technologies and online safety. Organised by the Empowering Children Foundation as part of the Polish Safer Internet Centre, it’s a meeting of experts and inspiration seekers, creators and consumers, activists and dreamers.

The Danish Safer Internet Centre (SIC) has developed a guide containing information, guidance and inspiration for parents and carers with 7-12-year-old children.

At the moment, it is hardly possible to keep children away from the current news, and many parents and teachers struggle with finding child-appropriate and suitable answers about the war in Ukraine. Positive online content can support them in finding online news and information which is age-appropriate and free of frightening images and messages. Below you can find child-friendly news sources across a range of European countries, along with a selection of resources on how to talk to children about the war.

On Thursday, 3 February 2022, the student video competition for a safe and creative use of the internet came to an end with the final evaluations of the participants’ works. The competition was organised by the Pedagogical Institute of Cyprus, of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport and Youth, with the support of the Cyprus Safer Internet Centre CYberSafety. The competition was once again held online due to the ongoing pandemic.