Better Internet for Kids

Educators play a crucial role in teaching children and adolescents how to navigate the online world safely and responsibly. To support teachers, social workers, and other professionals working with young people, a set of three comprehensive toolkits has been developed, each tailored to different age groups and educational levels. These resources provide practical tools, insights, and workshop materials to facilitate discussions on digital safety, privacy, and online risks. 

The report Childrens and Young People’s Influencers – A Focus Group Study presents the second and final part of a research project conducted by the Swedish agency for the Media within the framework of Safer Internet Centre Sweden. It is based on focus groups with children and young people, providing insights into their perspectives and experiences with influencers and influencer culture.

Research presents multiple definitions of influencers, with no single, unified description. This report identifies six definitions used in research and investigations. Children and young people follow influencers based on their popularity and content, and they may also act as influencers themselves or be influenced in various ways, including by parents who act as influencers.

The parental guide Is My Child Influenced by Influencers? helps carers understand how children and young people are affected by influencers and what research says about their relationship with social media. This guide is specifically designed for parents and carers and provides a concise summary of current research. It also offers practical advice on what parents should know to support their children in today’s media landscape.

The Portuguese Safer Internet Centre has adapted the virtual game “Fake it to make it” into Portuguese. The game is targeted at teenagers and focuses on the topic of fake news and disinformation.

This is a simulation game with a social impact, in which players take on the role of someone who profits from the creation and distribution of fake news. Through this experience, players learn how disinformation is created, spread and emotionally targeted, preparing them to be more sceptical of information they may encounter in the future.

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 program of the summit features new knowledge on children’s lives online and information on the support that the organisations behind the Safer Internet Centre Sweden offer. The program includes The Swedish Agency for the Media’s presentation of three new reports where children and young people’s media use and health, relation to influencers and girls with neuropsyciatric disabilities and online behaviour are examined. There is also a presentation of the Digital Services Act, DSA, from a senior expert of the European Commission. 

These tips can help parents start conversations with their teenage children about the internet and can also be adapted for younger children.