Better Internet for Kids

It’s easy to forget what real relationships are made of — effort, uncertainty, and vulnerability. But what happens when your “perfect partner” is a machine? Always listens, never complains, and gives you exactly what you want… sounds ideal, right? Or is it a trap?

PPodcast guest is Nora Vlášková, M.A. is a psychotherapist specialising in relationships, infidelity, and personal crises. She originally studied law and worked in criminal justice before transitioning into psychotherapy. She now leads online courses on relationships and is a regular voice in the media. 

English Summary:

Ecpat's report "It’s seen as a hack" focuses on children's experiences and attitudes towards sugardating, where adults exploit children for the purchase of sexual services. The report makes it clear that the child's perspective is both crucial and necessary when designing support interventions.

That guide has been created by Internet Sans Crainte in collaboration with our partner Ceméa. It aims to help parents accompany their teenagers in their digital life with concrete advice to discuss, protect and adopt good reflexes online by addressing 8 themes:
- How can you help your teens balance their screen time?
- How can you help your teens protect their personal data on social media?
- How can you help your teens manage their image on social media?
- How can you help your teens spot fake news online?
- How can you protect your teens from offensive content?

To avoid giving online groomers free rein, it is important to arm children against groomer tactics. That's why Child Focus built the 'OK Groomer' game in the virtual universe of Roblox: an online platform in which millions of children play and create games every day.
In various mini-games, grooming tactics come to life as bad guys. Players will learn to identify, report and block these tricksters.

To avoid giving online groomers free rein, it is important to arm children against groomer tactics. That's why Child Focus built the 'OK Groomer' game in the virtual universe of Roblox: an online platform in which millions of children play and create games every day.
In various mini-games, grooming tactics come to life as bad guys. Players will learn to identify, report and block these tricksters.

It's very dangerous to keep online secrets.
You will most probably come across people with sinister intentions interested in you.
A person might deceive you by being a great friend or lover, in order to put you in an extremely harmful situation.
Don't risk betrayal, disappointment, and heartbreak by sharing intimate selfies online. No matter if it's a person you know or a potential love interest.

The video deals with the topic of risks on the Internet. It´s the first time the video has been processed as an animation. It can really appeal to all children and young people for whom the online world is a common and now essential part of life. An engaging video is a quick and safe way to get initial information on what to expect when children are in trouble.

Children are always one step further in the role of internet and social network users than we adults. At the same time, they often claim that they have sufficient information about online dating and security. But what is the reality? What risks do children perceive and what experiences do we have on the Safety Line? E.g. a common reaction is "I wouldn't just write to a stranger", but communication within online games, applications perceive safe "I write with a friend - a child who plays the same game". But is he really the one they imagine?

In 2021, the Dutch Media Literacy Network launched Leukeronline.nl: the online guide for professionals working in mental health care (in Dutch).

Many care counselors of people with a (mild) intellectual disability need tools to properly guide their clients in the use of online media. For example, how can they help clients prevent unpleasant situations, such as grooming or phishing? But also: how can they help them with safe and desirable applications of online media, such as dating, gaming and social media like TikTok?

Unlike other sexual health resources, GOSH focuses on the online world and aims to give university students and other young adults a better understanding of online sexual health and how to have a healthy relationship with their own online sexual health. We know practicing good sexual health is encouraged throughout a young person’s life both on and off campus and we want to replicate this in the online sphere.