Awareness

2023-09-19 love, relationships, sexuality (online), media literacy/education Belgian Safer Internet Centre

Child Focus and Molengeek give CyberSquad an update

CyberSquad is an online meeting place for and by young people. About 1,000 young people visit the platform every month for questions and issues around online safety, such as online sexuality and relationships, grooming, non-consensual sexting, sextortion or cyberbullying. No subject is taboo. Young people can share their personal experiences and ask advice from other young people, or help other young people themselves. In case of need, they can also chat directly with a professional counsellor from Child Focus. Two years after the launch of the platform, the organisation wants to make the site more widely known to all young people between 12 and 17. 

2023-09-15 media literacy/education, potentially harmful content BIK Team

International Day of Democracy 2023: Empowering the next generation

Today, 15 September 2023, we celebrate the International Day of Democracy. The day is officially recognised as a United Nations observance. It provides an opportunity to reflect on the state of democracy worldwide. This year, the focus is on "Empowering the next generation," recognising young people's pivotal role in advancing democracy.

2023-09-13 grooming, media literacy/education Belgian Safer Internet Centre

Ok Groomer, a game to equip minors with tools against online grooming

Playgrounds are no longer just physical playgrounds. Children also gather online to play. Individuals with bad intentions try to target children online through gaming platforms or social media – this phenomenon is called grooming. Child Focus launched the prevention game "Ok Groomer" to teach children aged 8-14 how to deal with grooming in a playful way.

2023-09-11 gaming, love, relationships, sexuality (online), media literacy/education, sexting BIK Team

Introducing the Back2School campaign

It’s September once again, which means it’s time for pupils to go back to school. Better Internet for Kids (BIK) wants to kick off the new school year with a campaign aimed at anyone working with children and young people to educate them to a safer, better internet experience, including teachers and educators, to support their activities and raise awareness of online safety topics in the classroom.

2023-09-08 media literacy/education BIK Team

International Literacy Day 2023

International Literacy Day, observed annually on 8 September, will be celebrated this year under the theme: "Promoting literacy for a world in transition". It will serve as an opportunity to accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on education and lifelong learning and to rethink the role of literacy in establishing inclusive, peaceful, just, and sustainable societies.

2023-08-14 advertising/commercialism, excessive use, media literacy/education BIK Team

Screen time: Balancing online activities for children over the summer

With summer in full swing, children often have more free time. As they explore the season’s wonders, we can encourage them to balance their online and offline activities, making the most of their time. While digital devices can be fascinating, we can encourage them to engage in creative activities that foster learning and interactions with others. Striving for balance will empower our children to enjoy the best of both worlds, promoting their physical and mental well-being, while making fond memories over the summer break. 

2023-08-12 media literacy/education BIK Team

International Youth Day 2023: green skills for youth, towards a sustainable world

International Youth Day is commemorated every year on 12 August. The celebration aims to bring youth issues to the attention of the international community and emphasise the crucial role of youth in shaping the future. This year, the theme: “Green skills for youth: Towards a sustainable world” sheds light on the importance of empowering youth with skills and knowledge to create a greener and more sustainable environment.

2023-08-11 advertising/commercialism, grooming, love, relationships, sexuality (online), potentially harmful content German Safer Internet Centre

Sexualised self-expression online - hot tub streams and OnlyFans

There is a category on the popular streaming platform Twitch that is dedicated to hot tubs, usually featuring women in bathing suits or bikinis, receiving money in exchange for displaying their bodies during the stream. Following a similar dynamic, influencers and content creators can earn money by producing erotic and pornographic content on OnlyFans, a platform where subscribers can access exclusive, often inappropriate content after purchasing a subscription. Do these options pose a danger for children and young people?

2023-08-08 media literacy/education Latvian Safer Internet Centre

The Latvian Safer Internet Centre received the Cross of Recognition from the state

On 4 May 2023 - the day of the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia, the coordinator of the Latvian Safer Internet Centre (SIC) Maija Katkovska received the highest award of the Latvian state - the Cross of Recognition – for raising awareness about internet safety and media literacy for children in Latvia, and ensuring the work of the hotline fighting Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) online. The award was presented by the President of Latvia.

2023-08-01 excessive use, media literacy/education BIK Team

Summer tech tips: establishing healthy digital habits for families

Hello, summer! For parents, it means more time to relax, and for children, more time to play. The digital world offers many opportunities to spend time and fight the occasional boredom. Embracing a balanced approach to digital devices can significantly improve family ties and children's physical, mental and emotional development. Encouraging responsible and mindful digital habits can foster solid relationships and well-being in the family. Here are eight tips to help ensure families' healthy use of digital devices.