Better Internet for Kids

The National Plan for Children's Rights for the period from 2022 to 2026  continues to create and implement policies to improve children's rights. The national plan includes the public policies of other sectors that are in close interaction with children's rights and determines the key goals and mechanisms for the implementation of the set strategic goals.

On 9 March 2023, Law 5029/202321 was voted by the Greek Parliament.

This Act lays down provisions on the rights of a child to early childhood education and care (ECEC), the organisation and provision of early childhood education and care, and the data repository for early childhood education and care. 

Early childhood education and care is provided as:

The Act lays down provisions on comprehensive school education and compulsory education, pre-primary education, voluntary additional comprehensive school education, preparatory education for comprehensive school education, and morning and afternoon activities.
(Source: Website - Key legislation on general education).

Entities responsible for implementation: Ministry of Education and Culture.

The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible for the preparation of the legislation on child welfare and for the general steering of child welfare services. The Child Welfare Act safeguards children’s rights and provisions on child welfare are laid down in the Child Welfare Act. Provisions on the rights of children are laid down in the Constitution of Finland. Furthermore, the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are also binding on Finland.

The French President inaugurated the Children Online Protection Lab in November 2022 following the launch of the Call to stand up for children’s rights in the digital environment and the Declaration on the rights of the child in the digital environment adopted in March 2022. This international initiative aims to bring together governments, tech companies, academic experts and civil society actors to share expertise and best practices and test innovative solutions to protect children online more effectively.

The National Youth Work and Youth Policy Programme is a horizontal programme, which the Government adopts every four years with the aim of promoting a good environment for young people to grow up and live. In the Programme, the Government defines its youth policy objectives and the measures to achieve them. The Programme also outlines youth work, including the priorities for the selection of national centers of excellence in the youth sector for this programme period, and sets Finland's national objectives for European and international activities in the youth sector.

This policy framework sets a plan for children in Malta by expanding children’s rights and guaranteeing the best interests of the child. Based on four priorities, the policy aims to promote a safer digital space and child participation. A feedback section is available for children to submit their ideas. A public consultation on the framework was launched in 2023. 
(Source: https://socialsecurity.gov.mt/).

In Luxembourg, a national policy for well-being in schools has been developed and will be implemented in all high schools by 2025. The policy aims to ensure that each student has the opportunity to thrive at school in complete safety and reach their full potential, while feeling supported, respected and valued. The initiative promotes dialogue between students and adults through open communication and peer work to create positive and trustful relationships. In addition, it provides an anti-violence tool in schools and supports youth involvement in the educational community.

The Health Education Framework supports health education in schools by promoting awareness objectives on mental health and violence prevention, nutrition education, physical activities, addictive behaviours, and sexuality. 
(Source: Health Education Framework).

Entities responsible for implementation: National Team for Citizenship Education / Equipa Nacional de Educação para a Cidadania.