Better Internet for Kids

On 28 May 2024, a new session of the expert webinars series was held, organised by the National eTwinning Unit INDIRE in collaboration with the Generazioni Connesse project (Safer Internet Centre Italy).

The poster encourages people (witnesses) to react when they observe signs of violence on the internet. 

As part of the Back to School activities, Generazioni Connesse (Safer Internet Centre Italy), in collaboration with the national eTwinning unit INDIRE, organised a new session of its expert webinars series.

The event addressed the crucial role of the internet and digital technologies in students’ everyday lives, both inside and outside the classroom—an environment that requires tools to promote positive use, as well as to prevent, recognise, respond to, and manage problematic situations.

The leaflet addresses the issue of harmful online content (so-called patotreści) and the risks they pose to children and young people. 

It explains what harmful content is, how young people may encounter it, and the consequences of being exposed to materials that promote violence, vulgarity, or self-destructive behaviours. It also provides practical guidance for teachers and educators on how to talk with children and teenagers about such content, how to recognise it, and how to respond in order to support safe internet use. 

The leaflet explains how to support young people in consciously building their online image. 

It shows that social media can help with self-expression, building relationships, and developing digital skills, but also carries risks such as pressure to compare, identity crises, loss of privacy, or cyberbullying. It provides guidance for teachers and educators on how to talk with teenagers and young people, emphasising trust, reflection, and strengthening self-esteem, resilience, and critical thinking. 

The leaflet addresses the issue of cyberbullying and online hate – their causes, mechanisms, and the roles of the perpetrator, bystander, and victim. 

It provides guidance on what to pay attention to when talking with children and young people about hate, taking into account their age, gender, and personal situation. It also offers concrete educational and preventive actions to counteract hate and support young people in using the internet safely. 

The didactic kit developed by Generazioni Connesse (the Italian Safer Internet Centre) is a tool aimed at all educational institutions.

The teaching kit aims to outline the corpus of themes and content that underpin the development of full digital citizenship among students, through solid educational paths that aim to guide teachers and educators in creating a true digital civic education laboratory within their classroom.

The leaflet addresses the issue of online grooming, which is the act of luring children on the internet for sexual exploitation. 

It explains the warning signs that may indicate a child’s involvement in a dangerous online relationship, and highlights the types of conversations that should raise adults’ concerns. 

It also provides guidance on how to protect children from grooming and how to respond in cases of suspected or confirmed abuse. 

The Media Council for Children and Young People has developed a new material for parent-teacher meetings in elementary schools (1th-3th grade) in Denmark. The material focuses on screen use and agreements between parents in school classes.

The leaflet serves as a guide for parents and caregivers who want to introduce their children to the world of new technologies in a wise and responsible way. It outlines the most common risks associated with internet use, such as cyberbullying, addiction, harmful content, or risky online challenges, and highlights good practices for supporting children in safe online activities.