Better Internet for Kids

The information in leaflet gives parents an insight about the BeReal photo sharing app which is popular among teens and allows users to share one photo per day capturing moments of their lives without editing and filter option. BeReal is popular among teenagers as an alternative to the processed and filtered content seen on other social media platforms. However, parents should be aware of situations when adolescent can be at risk and approachable by strangers via app if they don't pay enough attention to their privacy and safety:

Videos aim to raise awareness among children and youngsters how their online activities can influence them. To encourage young people to think about their online behaviour on social media and how it can affect their life now and in the future six short videos where created by Latvian SIC together with the involvement of representatives of the Youth Panel, talented copywriter Reinis Piziks and popular Latvian influencers @niklavs Niklavs and @edgarfrsh EdgarFresh (their online names).

The following videos were developed:
1. Be balanced.
2. Respect others online.

Workbook is for children aged 10 to 15 and aims at strengthening media literacy and enhancing digital competence and also children’s ability to effectively use digital technologies and communication tools to find, evaluate, use, and create information.

Lesson package includes tasks and exercises for pupils of Grade 5-12 to strengthen their knowledge of safe and meaningful use of the internet. Six lesson plans covered in package with engaging tasks are developed in a youth-friendly and fun way accompanied by the recommendations for teachers how to involve youngsters and ensure that they share and learn from each other's experiences by actively participating in lesson about internet safety.

Latvian SIC developed 14 screen images (wallpapers) for smartphones with internet safety quotes designed for children to remind them about safe internet usage particularly when using social media platforms and communicating with peers on the internet.

Children and teenagers spend a lot of time looking at screens on the daily basis especially during summer holidays therefore these images will help them think about changing their digital habits and online behaviours as well as pay more attention to cybersecurity in order to minimize potential risks and vulnerabilities.

Latvian SIC has developed educational games to strengthen media literacy and digital literacy among children and young people. The kit consists of six games and each of them focuses on a different aspect of media literacy and digital literacy offering 30 cards with images,30 cards with texts, game descriptions, questions, exercises etc. The titles and topics are the following:

1.    Observe, analyse and act!
2.    Play and think critically!
3.    Read, understand and comment!

Presentation in easy language to give lectures in special schools for children with mental disabilities. To make sure that children with mental disabilities understand the information provided, it has to be adapted to their special needs - less text, easy language, bigger fonts, more visual information (pictures, videos) etc.

Latvian SIC has created Internet Safety Advent Calendar with practical tips to remind children about the basics of online safety, how to protect themselves from dangers on the internet and find balance between their online and virtual activities.

Parents and educators were encouraged to remind children about internet safety, privacy and healthy balance between virtual and real-life activities and responsibilities, and meaningful use of the internet. Parents and teachers on the first day of Advent were invited to use printed version of Calendar in several ways:

Children often are spontaneous and emotional when it comes to expressing themselves online therefore usually they post and share on their social media accounts very private photos, videos and information not only of their private life but also life of other people. The random snap, pic or comment within seconds tagging each other can later make them wonder “I hope my friend/classmate doesn’t mind being tagged in my post/story and I’m not putting his/her privacy at risk?”

To raise awareness and stress the importance of cybersecurity and to promote Cyber Security Month initiative which is on October Latvian SIC created digital poster including eight simple safety advices how to improve cyber security on the daily basis inviting children and adults to take actions to ensure they feel safe and protected online. Privacy, safety settings, safe passwords, 2FA are crucial when taking care of online safety. We also advised schools, libraries and youth centres to print out the poster and place it in lobbies, on notice boards, visitor’s rooms.