Better Internet for Kids

In today’s digital age, children use a variety of screens and devices at home, in schools and on the move. Within this context, parents need support in understanding how to
care for their well-being. To address this issue, the European Safe Online Initiative, first established in Belgium, expanded to engage with thousands of parents and other carers across five different countries, helping them to develop media literacy skills. With a focus on the role of parents, the book discusses a wide range of subjects related to children's online media

To support stakeholders willing to reach out to parents and raise awareness among this audience on e-safety issues children may face online, Child Focus and partners of the ESOI project have developed the ESOI prototype: a step-by-step guide to design a SafeOnline initiative in different national contexts.

The "Home Screen Rules" campaign promotes the balanced use of screen devices so that they do not pose a threat to family relationships, children's development and the health of household members. So that when used consciously and in moderation, they are a positive addition to family life, not its focal point.

The brochure suggests how to establish and implement such rules to counteract the negative effects of excessive use of screens.

"Dopamine" is an educational film for young people devoted to the conscious and safe use of social media. The film touches on important topics such as the mechanism of the dopamine loop, profiling and toxic online relationships, while avoiding a one-sided narrative about the harmfulness of new technologies. In the narrative layer of the film we hear: "This is not a film about the Internet being bad. It's about us controlling the technology, not the technology controlling us.”

"Dopamine" lesson plan that aims to support young people in the conscious use of social media and understanding the impact of these platforms on their lives, mental health and relationships.

The proposed classes are addressed to people aged 13-16 and concern topics such as safe and risky online relationships, excessive use of social media, needs related to the use of social media, balance between online and offline activities.

Duration: 45 minutes.

The topic of the podcast is how young children use devices. Maciej Kępka talked to Dr. Magdalena Rowicka, who is a psychologist, an employee of the Institute of Psychology at the Academy of Special Education, and her research focuses on topics related to the use of Internet technology, computer games and digital devices in general, including: research "Toddler on the Internet", which you will hear about in this episode.

"Pathological content" on the Internet poses a significant threat, especially to young people. Violence, alcohol and drugs often feature prominently in these types of streams and recordings. We talk to Jakub Szczęsny, who, among other things, deals with the so-called "pathological streaming", about what pathological content is and how to limit its scope.

Radio play "Sieciaki. "There are more of us" is the third part of the adventures of "Sieciaki" - four kids who fight against the dangers on the Internet. It was based on the book by Łukasz Wojtasik.

Radio play "Sieciaki. Face Changer and the Great Fame Gala" is the second part of the adventures of four kids who, with the help of Artificial Intelligence and the Netrobi robot, fight against the dangers on the Internet. The first part of the radio play is available under the title: “Sieciaki – mission: safe internet.

A thematic issue of the web magazine Märka Last called Targalt internetis (Smartly on the Web). The magazine contains 12 articles that deal with children's rights online, children's exposure to harmful online content, cyberbullying prevention and intervention, young people and sexting, information on the work of Estonian hotline and Child Helpline.