Better Internet for Kids

“Fake News” is deliberately false news that is perceived as true and is distributed on social networks and websites with the intention of generating benefit for some group, be it economic, political or social. As it seems to be true, this type of news and information is shared easily and quickly on the Internet and/or through messaging services and applications. There is no concern in searching for the Source of the information/news, which makes it very difficult to control the spread of “Fake News”.

As children are digital natives, it is crucial to take proper care so that they do not become an easy target for cybercriminals. One of the most difficult topics to approach with children is grooming and sexual abuse of minors through the Internet. It is probably parents’ biggest fear, both in “real life” and in the “digital world”, and it is not easy to approach this topic with children, not only because they are naive and childish, but also because they trust and believe others too much.

The purpose of the parents’ workshop is to discuss:
how to talk to children about the war while building their sense of safety
how to behave so that the news and the disinformation in the media and on social media do not harm children
how can schools and homes work together to make sure that nobody experiences bullying or discrimination because of their background

Objectives of the lesson plan

create a safe space
process the emotions evoked by the news coverage and social media
develop source criticism
interfere with bullying and discrimination.

The Internet and technological development make it easier to have social interaction at a distance. Sexting is a word used to describe sending intimate, erotic photographs or videos over the Internet. This is a common practice among adults, but also young people and adolescents, who, most of the time, do not realise the impact and possible negative consequences an intimate photo or video can have in a few minutes.

”Me and the Others” videogame is a graphic and interactive narrative, meaning that the narrative can take different paths according to the decisions of the players at the end of each segment of the story. The new graphic novel created around non-substance addictions and problematic use of the internet, gives the teacher the possibility of, using the participants' smartphones, to develop individual and group dynamics.

As we know, online safety is also personal, physical and emotional safety, so PT SIC decided to create content for an awareness campaign to alert about some of the forms of dating violence trough social networks. The target audience is teenagers of both genders, since the issue of control as a form of violence is transversal to both gender and sexual orientation. In this sense were created "gender neutral" messages distributed by 5 different posters that are available online for download and printing.

Cyberbullying can be seen as a form or extension of bullying, perpetrated via digital media, and is also an aggressive, intentional, and persistent behaviour. It can happen anywhere, at any time, and all the time. While in bullying the aggressor is known, in cyberbullying the aggressor is often anonymous, there is a physical distance, the aggression comes through mobile phones, social networks and messages, which contributes to the complexity of the phenomenon and to the aggravation of the emotional consequences for the victims.

Cybercrime includes various practices such as the theft of personal data, the installation of viruses and malware, the creation of fake profiles on the Internet (for example on social networks or to commit fraud), online fraud or cyberbullying. One of the main difficulties in combating cybercrime is its cross-border nature. In many situations, it is very difficult to identify the origin of the crime and its perpetrators.

Online games can have many benefits, but it is important to recognise that they come with some risks and that children and young people need to be aware of these risks in order to protect themselves. Playing games gives children and young people a sense of escape from the real world, and in some games they feel part of a community, which reinforces the social nature of online games.

Hate speech is based on hatred and includes "all forms of expression which propagate, incite, promote or justify racial hatred, xenophobia, homophobia, anti-Semitism and other forms of hatred based on intolerance" (Council of Europe). Hate speech constitutes a violation of Human Rights. Hate speech can have an online and an offline dimension, and in both cases, it can have serious consequences for the lives of people who are victims of this type of action.