Better Internet for Kids

The impact of cyberbullying on children's emotional well-being

In a world where children grow up constantly connected to the digital world, online bullying no longer needs the schoolyard to manifest itself. It can sneak into a child's room, their phone, their private space. The data recently presented by the organization Save the Children on the occasion of Internet Safety Day 2025 raise alarm bells about the extent and seriousness of this phenomenon.

Artificial intelligence has become part of our everyday lives. This includes the increasingly authentic-looking deepfakes that are influencing the lives of children and young people. This factsheet provides an overview of the status quo of deepfakes, shows from a child protection perspective the problems that deepfakes can cause with regard to (sexualised) violence, and offers legal classifications as well as tips and support services.

Specialists play a crucial role in supporting adults and children who come into contact with depictions of sexualised violence against children and young people and sexual depictions of minors. The guide provides professionals from psychosocial and educational institutions with helpful information, the legal framework, step-by-step instructions and preventive measures to enable them to act quickly and appropriately.

In this podcast, we will talk with our guest, Petr Macháček, a cybersecurity consultant at Lundegaard, about making quick money online.

The quiz “Sexting and online harassment” is aimed at young people and teaches them how to handle intimate content and harassment responsibly. Players learn about the legal framework of sexting, are educated about risks, and receive tips on what to do if a picture falls into the wrong hands. The quiz also uses case studies to show what sexual harassment is and how to protect yourself from it. Among other things, it addresses what you can do if someone asks you uncomfortable questions or requests intimate photos.

Although promoting media literacy among young users is the top priority, the use of technical measures on the digital devices of younger children can be helpful. The range of technical child protection measures is vast, and they typically combine various functions to keep inappropriate content away from minors. This usually involves setting usage times, filtering content, and blocking certain applications.

Educators play a crucial role in teaching children and adolescents how to navigate the online world safely and responsibly. To support teachers, social workers, and other professionals working with young people, a set of three comprehensive toolkits has been developed, each tailored to different age groups and educational levels. These resources provide practical tools, insights, and workshop materials to facilitate discussions on digital safety, privacy, and online risks. 

The Body Parts bingo game reinforces children’s knowledge of the body and its functions, and through this, the game promotes children’s awareness of the dignity and limits of their own body. 

The Body Parts bingo game allows children to learn about the different parts of the body and their different names, as well as the different functions of the body parts. 

With bingo: 

The CyberSafety Youth Panel of Cyprus created a video to promote the safe and creative use of the internet among young people. Members of the panel wrote the script, performed in, and directed the video. This resource can be used by teachers and social workers in various ways. 

For example, it can help initiate discussions on cyberbullying, body image, internet overuse, and digital well-being. It can also encourage young people to engage with their community by creating their own cyber safety-related content.

The handbook is aimed at middle school educators and focuses on developing students' digital citizenship. Through student-centred activities, it promotes responsible and safe internet use. The main sections of the handbook focus on the following topics: