Better Internet for Kids

The Norwegian Directorate of Health and Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs have worked over many years to better understand the needs of young people and figure out the best ways to promote better health. Young people need more digitalized access to both health promoting information and healthcare services. Online services lower the threshold for contacting healthcare providers, allowing young people to get to know the services on their own terms and at their own pace, and to benefit from a reassuring initial sense of anonymity.

The purpose of trafficking in human beings is the exploitation of the person, including sexual exploitation, forced labour, begging, slavery or organ removal. The victim, or trafficked person, is forced or tricked to work against their will. Recruiting, transporting, transferring, housing or receiving people who are trafficked are all crimes. When children are trafficked, the punishment is more severe.

In June 2024, the Spanish government proposed a Draft Organic Law for the Protection of Children in Digital Environments. Key components of this draft legislation include allowing courts to issue digital restraining orders against individuals posing online threats to minors; raising the minimum age requirement for opening social media accounts from 14 to 16 years; parental control tools by default in devices used by children; and implementing health screenings for teenagers to detect emotional disorders related to excessive internet use.

The DSA Accompanying Act (DSA-BegG) is the federal law that enacts the Digital Services Act in Austria and amends other national laws. It was discussed and published in 2023 and entered into force in 2024. The DSA-BegG provides new procedures against illegal content (particularly harmful content for children) and supporting clauses for victims of online hate speech. 
(Source: BIK Policy Monitor 2024)

Entities responsible for implementation:
Federal Chancellery Republic of Austria/Bundeskanzleramt Österreich

Article 139h (amended in 2019) of the Dutch Criminal Code addresses the production and possession of sexual/intimate images or material and revenge pornography. It determines the adequate sentence and punishment for a person involved in such crimes.
(Source: Criminal Code).

Entities responsible for implementation: Government of the Netherlands.

The E-Commerce Act establishes regulations and limitations to online advertisements, such as restrictions for alcohol and tobacco, as well as potentially harmful content for minors. In addition, it states limitations to influencers, determining that they must include label advertising and name the advertiser in digital media.
(Source: BIK Policy Monitor 2024).

Entities responsible for implementation:
Federal Chancellery Republic of Austria/Bundeskanzleramt Österreich

The Education Development Plan 2021–2035 aims to equip the population of Estonia with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that prepare people to fulfil their potential in personal, occupational and social life and contribute to promoting the quality of life in Estonia as well as global sustainable development.

Germany’s “Education in the Digital World” strategy, presented by the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) in 2016, addresses the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation in education. The strategy outlines six key fields of action: curricular development, teacher training, infrastructure and equipment, educational media, e-government and school administration, and legal frameworks. It distinguishes between schools/vocational education and higher education, recognizing their different needs and legal contexts.

The eEducation Austria initiative is a school-based programme to develop students’ digital skills and ICT competencies. It has a network of schools interested in advancing the digitisation process and expanding media literacy education. 
(Source: Website).

Entities responsible for implementation: Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research / Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung.

Eight-Point Plan for Digital Learning (8-Punkte-Plan) is an initiative aimed at expanding innovative teaching and learning in the Austrian education system. The national plan includes (1) a digital school portal, (2) standardisation of platforms, (3) continuing education for educators, (4) expanding the platform Eduthek, (5) certifying learning apps, (6) expanding IT infrastructure at schools, (7) providing digital terminals for students (8) and teachers.

(Source: Website).