Creating a safer connected world: Research and policy

SIC+ programme: a collaboration between the network of European Safer Internet Centres and like-minded organisations around the world

BIK Team

In 2020, the SIC+ programme made its official debut, broadening the European network of Safer Internet Centres with countries from across the globe. This article outlines the nature and activities of the SIC+ programme that aims, through cooperation by its members, to make the internet a safer and better space for everyone. 

The new Better Internet for Kids strategy is out! Introducing BIK+

BIK Team

Today, the European Commission has adopted a new European strategy for a Better Internet for Kids (BIK+), with the aim to improve age-appropriate digital services and to ensure that every child is protected, empowered and respected online. This new strategy comes ten years after the first BIK strategy, and during the European Year of Youth, spotlighting the voices and ideas of young people themselves.

Youth Internet Monitor 2022 is out: Which social networks do young people in Austria use?

Austrian Safer Internet Centre

Every year, the Austrian Safer Internet Centre Saferinternet.at presents the current data on the use of different social media platforms by Austrian youth. Which social networks are currently the most popular among young boys and girls in Austria? The results are collected in the Youth Internet Monitor. 

In the spotlight: Safer Internet Centre Sweden

BIK Team

As part of the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) Quality Assurance Programme (QAP), the Insafe-INHOPE Coordination Teams are jointly conducting a set of ten country visits to national Safer Internet Centres (SICs) to better understand what is happening in the Member States: monitoring emerging issues and challenges, identifying good practices to be shared, and harvesting the results of the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) policy. Due to circumstances caused by COVID-19 restrictions, the visit to the Swedish Safer Internet Centre was carried out as an online meeting on 15 November 2021.  

European Year of Youth 2022: We asked – young people answered!

BIK Team

Better Internet for Kids Youth Ambassadors and youth panellists from different countries in Europe were featured in ten short videos where they exchange views on their priorities online, the importance of digital skills, and their perspectives on how to ensure better online experiences in the future. 

The sexualisation of culture, and of children and young people

BIK Team

Back in November 2021, the Insafe network of European Safer Internet Centres (SICs) took part in a two-day online training meeting*. A key topic of discussion was the sexualisation of culture and of children and young people; a complex and increasingly concerning set of online risks that many SICs find themselves having to address on a regular basis. Similar topics had also been raised in a Deep Dive session at the 2021 edition of Safer Internet Forum just a month previous, where a panel discussion had focused on harmful online content, experiences and solutions.