Better Internet for Kids

Today is Data Protection Day, a celebration established by the Council of Europe whose objective is to educate the public on data protection challenges and inform individuals about their online rights and how to exercise them. The whole week, including Data Protection Day, has been renamed Data Privacy Week, to further highlight the importance of educating on matters of online data protection and privacy in the globalised and connected world we live in.

Today's children and young people are raised in a digital world where technology is an integral part of their lives. The presence of technology from an early age indicates they are connected online more than ever. Children and adolescents account for an estimated one in three internet users around the world. Therefore, a large portion of their everyday lives is spent online, including remote learning, online gaming, or streaming, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parents of children aged 0 to 6 have started to think more positively about the effect of media on their child, as compared to previous years. For example, a large majority now believe that media can help their child with language development and math skills, among other things. Parents also see media as a tool to keep the child occupied when they do not have the time themselves, or as a sweetener when the child is bored. In contrast, parents are less positive about the effect of media in relation to online education. More than a quarter of parents of 5-6-year-olds indicate that their child’s performance in school has suffered as a result of online education. All this is apparent from the Iene Miene Media survey 2021 that was presented during the start of the ‘Media Ukkie’ Days (26 March to 2 April 2021).

Each generation is spending more and more time behind computers, and screens are now a part of daily life. The current generation of children are using smart devices for leisure as well as for schoolwork and socialising; therefore it’s important to pay attention to the things they are doing online. Catlyn Kirna, CGI cybersecurity expert in Estonia, provides an overview of the main concerns regarding children being online, and what can be done to help them.

Webwise, the Irish Safer Internet Centre, has developed a range of new resources to raise awareness of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill (Coco’s Law) which was recently introduced in Ireland. Coco’s Law has criminalised the non-consensual distribution of intimate images.

As part of the “Interactive Conversations on Europe’s Future” initiative, seniors in Latvia learned about online risks and safety on the internet. From September to November 2021, events took place in 14 different cities across Latvia, organised by the European Commission Representation in Latvia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, and the Latvian Safer Internet Centre.

Only every third teenager in Latvia checks information before trusting and sharing it on the internet. More than half (57 per cent) admit they haven't learned at school how to analyse information and how to make sure the information is true. Of those who have acquired this skill at school, 49 per cent say that the information and knowledge gained has not been sufficient.

SaferInternet4Kids (the Greek Center for Safe Internet (EKAD) of FORTH) participated in the recent Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Together with Maltese and UK members of the Insafe delegation, representing the network of Safer Internet Centres in Europe, representatives hosted a workshop titled "Mind the Gender Gap OR Mend the Gender Gap".

In 2021, six projects received an incentive contribution to help realise a media literacy initiative with which they are able to increase and/or promote inclusivity. From co-creation with students to inclusive design of AI (artificial intelligence), the six initiatives each focus in their own way on inclusive design, inclusive reach or inclusive media. Read on to discover more.

If you glanced through toy catalogues in the run-up to Christmas, you undoubtedly came across some ‘smart toys’; that is, toys that are connected to the internet. BEE SECURE, the Luxembourgish Safer Internet Centre, reveals the pitfalls of these devices and what to look out for when buying and selling them.