Better Internet for Kids

The responses to MLL's Youth media use survey were collected through an online survey during November 2023. A total of 3,627 young people between the ages of 9 and 22 responded to the survey.

The Internet is an important place for young people to strengthen friendships, but many also encounter bullying and harassment there, experiences of being an outsider and loneliness, and addiction. 35 percent of young people would like to reduce their use of the Internet, but feel that they cannot. They expect adults and service providers to play an active role, limit and care.

The invitation to participate in this competition is extended to children and teachers who have engaged in our plan to conduct activities promoting safety principles online.

Our theme, "Adolescents' wellbeing in the digital world", addresses the crucial need to prioritize digital wellbeing among young individuals and explores how they choose to cultivate and maintain it amidst persisting online risks.

To counteract excessive device usage, "Discovering joy offline" provides children with a diverse range of captivating and interactive alternatives to spend their summer vacation. Outdoor camps, creative workshops, and involvement in volunteer or community activities are just a few of the options available to allow children to develop physically, intellectually, and emotionally outside the digital environment.

"Don't let the burden of cyberbullying crush you!" is an initiative aimed at addressing the effects and risks of cyberbullying on children and young people, emphasizing the importance of digital education. The initiative encourages the use of available video resources and teaching materials to initiate discussions on cyberbullying prevention and intervention strategies. Participants are urged to understand responsible Internet use and to learn methods to mitigate the risks they may encounter online.

These educational activity scenarios, tailored for each educational level, are designed to help preschoolers and students understand the risks present in the online environment and how to protect themselves. Each scenario presents a moral story and key questions that teachers can address, recommendations, as well as activities that parents can do at home with their children based on the themes covered.

These educational tools are designed to facilitate understanding and cultivate critical thinking among students, offering practical activities and debates that address the importance of discernment in the digital age. They are used to guide the educational process, helping students identify and evaluate online content, manage emotions, and develop essential skills in combating digital misinformation.

The aim of this guide is to provide teachers, adults working with children and young people with easily understandable theoretical resources and practical application recommendations within educational activities, without the need for advanced technologies. In addition to statistical information resulting from sociological research conducted by Save the Children Organization at national level, the material presents important arguments regarding responsible Internet use by children.

This guide is addressed to parents who wish to improve their skills, knowledge, and parenting behaviors to facilitate a healthy and functional relationship with their children.

The guide for teachers "The role of critical thinking in combating online disinformation!" has two objectives:

•    Facilitating the participation of the entire student group in debates and practical activities to discover the importance of critical thinking in the digital age;
•    Educating students to identify fake and false news, manage their emotions, and know how to react when encountering such content on the internet.

This study delves into parents' perceptions regarding the internet usage of children and adolescents. It explores topics such as parental supervision, communication with children about internet safety, perceived benefits and risks of online engagement, and challenges faced by parents in managing their children's digital behavior. By gaining insights into parents' perspectives, the study aims to provide valuable information for developing effective strategies to promote safe and responsible internet use among young people.