Practice articles

2021-01-18 Safer Internet Day Team

Taking stock of the state of online safety ahead of Safer Internet Day 2021

On Tuesday, 9 February 2021, we will join “Together for a better internet” to celebrate yet another edition of Safer Internet Day (SID) - though this time in a starkly different digital environment, compared to previous editions. Almost one year after the advent of the COVID-19 crisis and the changes it has brought about in our online habits, we review the new realities with regards to safety and well-being in the online sphere.

2021-01-18 online reputation Latvian Safer Internet Centre

“A perfect face on the internet…” – Online conference on the impact of influencers in Latvia

Online celebrities, their lives, experiences and stories – do they affect lives of adolescents?  Is it worth listening to influencers and take their every advice? Can anyone become an influencer? In the online conference "A perfect face on the internet…" different experts tried to find answers to these and many other questions.

2021-01-15 love, relationships, sexuality (online), sexting Maltese Safer Internet Centre

How to talk to your teenager about sexting?

Sexting is the electronic sending and receiving of photos and videos that are sexually suggestive or explicit, often containing nudity, sex acts, texted sexual messages, or sexting emojis. Talking to your kids about sexting can feel awkward for everyone but it is an important conversation to have, especially considering this phenomenon is on the rise among teenagers.

2021-01-14 Latvian Safer Internet Centre

Latvian Helpline 116111 launches app to help children in crisis situation

Latvian Helpline 116111 has released an app to make psychological assistance more accessible to children. This free app, created by the State Inspectorate for Protection of Children’s rights, was intended for children and adolescents to receive psychological assistance when facing online breaches. 

2021-01-13 advertising/commercialism Maltese Safer Internet Centre

Preventing the negative impact of influencers on children and teenagers

As the popularity and success of paid social media influencers increases, their followers often not only want what the influencers have, but also to be them.

2021-01-12 media literacy/education Dutch Safer Internet Centre

Dutch Media Literacy Network publish their report “Ten Years of Media Literacy Research”

The report “Ten Years of Media Literacy Research” is a summary of 90 studies that the Scientific Council of the Dutch Media Literacy Network has collected over the past two years. The Council brings together scientific knowledge about media literacy, determines where knowledge gaps lie and indicates what new research is needed.

2021-01-11 Safer Internet Day Team

Get involved in Safer Internet Day 2021!

Safer Internet Day (SID) is fast approaching – on Tuesday, 9 February 2021, we will be millions around the globe, joining forces “Together for a better internet”. How do you plan to participate in the big day?

2021-01-11 advertising/commercialism, data privacy Irish Safer Internet Centre

You are what you like? The influence of online algorithms

Have you noticed that when you go online or login to social media you are presented with content, news, articles or ads that somehow know the things that you are interested in? It makes sense that you will see updates from people or organisations that you follow, but what may be less obvious are the algorithms (complex mathematical formulas) working in the background which determine what content is presented in your newsfeed or search results. 

2021-01-08 media literacy/education Dutch Safer Internet Centre

Media Literacy Week 2020 in the Netherlands – focus on health and media

What is your “digital balance”? That was the central question at the 2020 Media Literacy Week, which took place from Friday, 6 to Friday, 13 November, with a focus on health and media. Over the past year, the importance of media literacy and of proper digital balance was more evident than ever. The Week, co-organised by the Dutch Safer Internet Centre (SIC), was an inspiring success filled with online activities.

2021-01-07 excessive use Irish Safer Internet Centre

Myth v Reality – The Full Picture

Social media is a fantastic way to connect and share with others. One of the great things about social media is we can decide what photos, posts, videos we share and as a result, many of us present an idealistic version of ourselves. It’s a great way of sharing parts of our lives with others – posting images and captions that we want others to see. But we are less likely to share the parts we don’t want others to see, or possibly think they wouldn’t be interested in. While social media has many benefits, it can be a place where we feel pressure to live up to certain standards, or which can instill self-doubt when we see images or the lifestyles of others.