Better Internet for Kids

Sextoooh is a pedagogical tool focusing on the issue of sexting and gender stereotypes. These stereotypes are not so much about sexual orientation, but rather about how girls and boys (and everyone else) are differently judged when they are involved in sexting situations and how they deal with it.

The educational aim is not limited to a simple presentation of the risks and consequences of sexting. Indeed, we are interested in the (sometimes stereotypical) behavior of young people in such situations.

In February 2020 Empowering Children Foundation inaugurated new social campaign called "Home Screen Rules". Its aim was to make parents aware of the problem of abuse of screen devices by themselves, children and adolescents. The campaign drew attention to the negative impact of the excess of screens on family relationships and health - brain development in the youngest, vision and sleep quality.

Complex cyberbullying prevention programme for schools called IMPACT have been developed as a consortium project in collaboration with experts from the Faculty of Psychology of Warsaw University, as well as Warsaw Technical University and the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Łódź. The programme is based on best practice evidence and includes components of psychological, social and technological intervention. As a result a final version of a 10-hour programme together with a handbook and necessary materials such as films, multimedia presentation and an app has been produced.

Campaign raise a subject of self-generated intimate photos and videos made by adolescents who intentionally engage in erotic or sexual activities and publish these visual materials online. Frequently they share it with their significant other, but sometimes they post it publicly for strangers. Project is addressed mainly towards adult users of online services and social platforms. Especially toward those who use online media which enable to conduct live broadcasts.

The HTML Heroes Programme has been designed for teachers of 1st and 2nd class (6-8 year olds) to introduce pupils to the first steps of accessing and using the internet in a safe and responsible manner. The resource contains five lessons that can be explored separately or delivered as a whole unit.

Campaign #nopressure is devoted to a subject of mental health condition amongst teenagers who are actively participating in social media. How social media apps create an unattainable standards for looks, wealth and satisfaction form everyday life. During campaign promotion Polish influencers took part in a debate about their well-being and mental health.

Necio.pl is educational project for preschool children and their parents. The project’s main component is website with child-friendly animation, games and songs explaining the rules of the internet safety and the basics of computer use to children. The host of this site is Necio, a friendly little robot who guides young users through the process of learning.

“Sieciaki – mission: safe internet” is a project for children aged between 9 to 12. Listen to a story of the origins of “Sieciaki” team. The team is made by four friends named: Spociak, Netka, Ajpi and Kompal. As “Sieciaki”, they were constituted by Artificial Intelligence to fight with “Sieciuchy” and mastermind “Pure Evil” which are threats that lurk in the world wide web.

Educational materials prepared by the project SELMA (Social and Emotional Learning for Mutual Awareness) gained appreciation in the UE countries. Polish Safer Internet Centre (PSIC) worked together with SELMA partners to produce adapted resources in Polish language. As a help to navigate through material for teachers PSIC created educational pathways for conducting classes with students between age 11 to 16.

Track 1 – introduction to emotions – for students - age 11-13
Track 2 – understanding hate – for students - age 11-13

The HTML Heroes Online Safety Code Song which recaps the key safety messages and advice from all lessons of the HTML Heroes 1st and 2nd Class Online Safety Education Programme. It emphasises the key safety message throughout the resource for children to Stop, Think and Check with a trusted adult when connecting and navigating the online world.