Creating a safer connected world: Research and policy

Research and policy

Through the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) agenda, the European Commission (EC), Safer Internet Centres (SICs) and other stakeholders regularly engage with partners from the fields of research and policy to strengthen the evidence base on children and young people’s online safety and protect, promote and advance their rights in the digital environment. Read on to discover more.

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Safer Internet Day 2024 in Iceland

Safer Internet Day 2024 had a slightly different format in Iceland this year. Indeed, due to huge earthquakes and volcanic eruptions that affected the country's organisation and administration; the time to plan Safer Internet Day was short. Despite the circumstances, the Iceland Safer Internet Centre organised a successful conference on children's online well-being. 

Finland’s Media Literacy Week: issues of media usage and well-being 

Safer Internet Day was celebrated in its extended version, Media Literacy Week. The theme sparked hundreds of activities around the country. This year, 70 partner organisations contributed to the Media Literacy Week, which took place from 5 to 11 February 2024. Teachers, educators, librarians, youth workers, and social workers from literally all over the country participated in the event.   

Safer Internet Day 2024 in Germany tackles pornography

The German awareness-raising centre klicksafe put the taboo topic of pornography in the spotlight for this year's Safer Internet Day (SID) on Tuesday, 6 February 2024. Discover what the German Safer Internet Centre and partners organised to celebrate the day.

Safer Internet Day 2024 in Austria: Beauty ideals on the internet

The Austrian Safer Internet Centre focused on beauty ideals for Safer Internet Day 2024. They conducted a survey on "Beauty ideals on the internet". The survey shows that young people increasingly feel pressured by idealised body images on the internet. More than half of the young people questioned in the study would like to change something about their appearance, and more than a quarter have already considered cosmetic surgery. Social media and influencers have a major influence on how people judge themselves. However, young people also see opportunities to escape this pressure - at least theoretically. 

Safer Internet Day 2024 in the Netherlands: Together for a better internet

The 21st edition of Safer Internet Day occurred on Tuesday, 6 February 2024. It is a day in which we emphasise the importance of a safer internet together with many other countries. We created various activities on the day to raise awareness about safe internet usage. The slogan “Together for a better internet” encouraged parents, teachers, young people, and many others to think about a safer use of internet usage for children. Attention was paid to this important topic not only by the Dutch Safer Internet Centre itself but also by other organisations. 

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Useful content on research and policy

Find out more about how research and policy is helping to create a better internet for children and young people.

The annual Safer Internet Forum brings together young people, parent and teacher representatives, industry and government policymakers, technological and awareness-raising experts, and political, educational and social leaders from Europe and beyond. The last edition took place on 27 October 2022 in a hybrid format.

Find out more

The Better Internet for Kids Policy Map was created to compare and exchange knowledge on policy making and implementation in EU Member States on the themes and recommendations of the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children.

Explore the BIK Policy Map

The time children and young people spend online has increased significantly, giving them access to unprecedented opportunities but also exposing them to new risks. To address this new reality, the European Commission is funding four Horizon 2020 projects.

Read more about the Horizon 2020 projects

Want to find out more about Safer Internet Centre (SIC) services and resources in your country?

Check out your SIC profile page to connect with national resources and sources of support, providing awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services.