Better Internet for Kids

The CyberSafety Youth Panel of Cyprus created a video to promote the safe and creative use of the internet among young people. Members of the panel wrote the script, performed in, and directed the video. This resource can be used by teachers and social workers in various ways. 

For example, it can help initiate discussions on cyberbullying, body image, internet overuse, and digital well-being. It can also encourage young people to engage with their community by creating their own cyber safety-related content.

A study conducted in Lithuania shows that children as young as 2 years old use screens for more than 1 hour a day on average, and 7-year-olds for more than 2 hours a day. Long screen time has a negative impact on other activities that are important for children's development, related to the child's emotional problems and behavioural difficulties, perceived sleep quality. 

In cooperation with a major Internet Service Provider in Latvia, a set of materials was developed with the slogan "When you use the internet, remember about safety!". It helps 4-7-year-old children, guided by their educators and parents, to learn about safe and responsible use of the internet. 

The Directorate-General for Education, through the SeguraNet awareness centre, with the support of Geração Cordão and the Institute for Child Support, has launched the campaign "Holidays: a tech-healthy place!". This initiative aims to raise awareness among children and young people about the healthy use of technology during school holidays.

Why do children and young people follow influencers online and how can this affect them? Influencers have become an important part of children’s lives and in this podcast episode a researcher from The Swedish Agency for the Media shares new knowledge from an interview study with children and young people regarding influencers. The important role for parents to guide their children around influencers, and how this can be done, is also covered in this episode. The podcast series is called “Our children and the internet” and is produced by the Swedish Internet Foundation. 

The issue of beauty ideals online and their impact on children and young people is complex. Research shows that exposure to beauty and body ideals on social media can lead to a poorer body image—to varying degrees. Research also shows that children (age 10-18) that spend a lot of time on social media tend to be more unhappy with their bodies and suffer from eating disorders to a greater extent than others in their age. In this short parental guide you can read more about the risks and get seven tips on how to talk to your child and give support. 

“Check the Game” (Swe: Kolla spelet.se) is a guide to games that are popular among children and youth. The website describes how the games function and if there are risks within the games that adults need to be aware of. The guide is aimed for parents and other adults that work with children and gaming.

The poster is intended for parents of preschool children. It highlights the issue of calming children with the use of screen devices instead of human contact and hugs. The poster was created in collaboration with the Slovenian Section for Primary Pediatrics of the Pediatric Association. It was developed for the purposes of the campaign for parents of preschool children in November 2024. 

The poster is intended for parents of preschool children. It highlights the issue of excessive internet use among young children and its harmful impact on brain development. The poster was created in collaboration with the Section for Primary Pediatrics of the Pediatric Association. It was developed for the purposes of the campaign for parents of preschool children in November 2024.