Swedish Safer Internet Centre

About the organisation

Sweden's Safer Internet Centre, SIC Sweden, is operated by the government agency Statens medieråd (the Swedish Media Council) together with the NGOs Bris (helpline) and ECPAT Sweden (hotline).

SIC Sweden’s overall goal is to increase children’s online safety.

The Swedish Safer Internet Centre aims to strengthen the implementation of the BIK+ strategy in Sweden.

Profile last updated: September 2023

Awareness Centre

Description:

The awareness centre works preventively, by providing knowledge and information to professionals and guardians.

An awareness centre, focusing on generating knowledge on online risks and equipping children and youth with know-how and attitudes for greater resilience. The centre disseminates knowledge, resources and tools through different intermediaries, working directly or indirectly with minors, such as parents, teachers and librarians.

Helpline

Description:

The national helpline for children is a general helpline offering information and support to children within a range of issues, including online-related questions and concerns. Support is provided via phone (116 111), email and chat. The helpline is open 24/7 and is staffed by professional counsellors. There is also a helpline for adults who have questions and concerns about children.

Both helplines are operated by Bris (Children's Rights in Society), an independent NGO aiming to strengthen the rights of the child through support to children and parents; mobilising the society and advocacy work.

Website: https://www.bris.se/languages/

Hotline

Description:

The hotline for tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse material (CSEM/CSAM) works by receiving, analysing, and processing reports of such material. The hotline is operated in close cooperation with the Swedish National Police. Through the hotline, the public can report suspected child sexual exploitation and abuse. Such materials can also be removed.

The hotline is operated by ECPAT Sweden, an independent NGO and children’s rights organisation working to combat child sexual exploitation.

Website: https://ecpat.se/aboutecpatsweden/

Youth participation

Description:

Children and young people are involved in the work of SIC Sweden in different ways, for example as informants and youth panellists.

During 2023, SIC Sweden will collaborate with young people (on the island Gotland) when preparing one of the SIC events during the Almedalen Week. The Almedalen Week is one of the largest democracy festivals in the world and takes place in the small city Visby. The event is admission-free and open to everyone living in or visiting Visby, and through various digital channels.

Website: https://www.almedalsveckan.info/english

Key partners/supporters

Since 2018, the Swedish Media Council has coordinated the national effort towards strengthened media and information literacy (MIL). This task consists of leading a multistakeholder network, MIL Sweden, and carrying out a yearly mapping of policy development and implementation initiatives. Currently, the network consists of 25 authorities and organisations working with media- and information literacy.