Better Internet for Kids

We are thrilled to present the winning entry of the Safer Internet Day 2023 song writing competition – "Stay Safe Online" by our talented students from Year 5.1 at Gozo College Dun Salve Vella Nadur Primary!

"Stay Safe Online" is more than a song; it's an anthem for Safer Internet Day 2024, created and sung by the brilliant minds of Lucas Azzopardi, Raquel Caruana, Mabel Emme Cauchi, Eliza Hili, Ganni Theuma, and Gabriella Vella. 

Why do children and young people follow influencers online and how can this affect them? Influencers have become an important part of children’s lives and in this podcast episode a researcher from The Swedish Agency for the Media shares new knowledge from an interview study with children and young people regarding influencers. The important role for parents to guide their children around influencers, and how this can be done, is also covered in this episode. The podcast series is called “Our children and the internet” and is produced by the Swedish Internet Foundation. 

Research shows that children and young people that spend a lot of time on social media are more often dissatisfied with their bodies than others. Comparisons and exposure to unrealistic body ideals is one part of it, and algorithms and “rabbit holes” is another. In this podcast episode of the Swedish podcast “Ätstörningspodden” (The eating disorder podcast) these issues, and how adults can help children navigate in this, are examined with an analyst from The Swedish Agency for the Media.

This guide is for anyone involved in developing child protection policies. It aims to ensure that as few of the digital aspects that are so important in the lives of children and young people as possible are overlooked. The guide focuses on six key issues: content development and media work, social media activities, online communication with children and young people, media use and media education, media literacy and data protection.

Social networks are an important part of children's and young people's lives - but many parents and adult caregivers feel overwhelmed when it comes to deciding at what age their child can use social networks, what the risks are or what settings are available. This is where the 'What is...' series comes in: each guide explains how each platform works and gives tips on how to use it safely. Guides are available for Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube, WhatsApp and Roblox, as well as the Google Family Link parental control app.

The issue of beauty ideals online and their impact on children and young people is complex. Research shows that exposure to beauty and body ideals on social media can lead to a poorer body image—to varying degrees. Research also shows that children (age 10-18) that spend a lot of time on social media tend to be more unhappy with their bodies and suffer from eating disorders to a greater extent than others in their age. In this short parental guide you can read more about the risks and get seven tips on how to talk to your child and give support. 

This workshop format, designed for working with children and young people, aims to teach participants how to protect themselves from online sexual harassment in a practical setting. They will learn about the risks of communicating online, how to recognise grooming strategies and how to adapt their online behaviour accordingly. They are also encouraged to trust their instincts and say a clear 'no' in situations that make them feel uncomfortable.

The program of the summit features new knowledge on children’s lives online and information on the support that the organisations behind the Safer Internet Centre Sweden offer. The program includes The Swedish Agency for the Media’s presentation of three new reports where children and young people’s media use and health, relation to influencers and girls with neuropsyciatric disabilities and online behaviour are examined. There is also a presentation of the Digital Services Act, DSA, from a senior expert of the European Commission. 

This flyer on grooming is aimed at young people. It explains what the term means, how to spot grooming strategies and how to defend yourself against this form of online sexual harassment.