New MOOC - Digital literacy and online safety: How the pandemic tested our skills

Fake news, online fraud and other types of disinformation have flooded the internet, especially during COVID-19. Distinguishing true from false, and useful from superfluous requires time and knowledge. To facilitate and guide you, the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) project is launching an EUN Academy MOOC “Digital literacy and online safety: How the pandemic tested our skills” in April 2021. Join the course to discover how you can identify and positively manage online challenges.

Date 2021-03-31 Author BIK Team Section awareness Topic data privacy, love, relationships, sexuality (online), media literacy/education Audience teachers, educators and professionals
Young woman drinking a cup of coffee while on a computer

The online life we live today comes with many opportunities, as well as many risks to avoid. Being digitally literate and having awareness of such risks plays a crucial role in being safe online. Moreover, the importance of digital literacy skills was further emphasised during 2020 when the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic. The necessity to exclude physical interaction from daily life resulted in teleworking, remote education and increased digital media consumption throughout the year.

The MOOC "Digital literacy and online safety: How the pandemic tested our skills" will start on Monday, 19 April 2021 on the European Schoolnet Academy

The MOOC "Digital literacy and online safety: How the pandemic tested our skills" will start on Monday, 19 April 2021 on the European Schoolnet Academy

Against this background, this new MOOC (massive open online course) will explore online trends and issues in the context of the new COVID-19 reality. It will provide course participants with essential knowledge, tips and tools to handle a wide range of issues such as misinformation and disinformation, conspiracy theories, online scams (such as phishing, malware and ransomware), account security, online privacy, benefits and risks associated with livestreaming, and healthy online relationships among others.

Moreover, this MOOC will enable participants to gain a better understanding of risks and challenges that young people face when they go online. Along with the course moderators, participants will discuss strategies for supporting young people and helping them to develop safe and responsible online and offline behaviours. A wide range of resources that can be used in schools will be provided, and participants will also be asked to share their own experiences, challenges and successes.

The course is targeted at primary and secondary school teachers of any subject, although ICT administrators, school counsellors and parents may also benefit from the course.

Key facts:

  • Online registration: Now open
  • Course start date: Monday, 19 April 2021
  • Course end date: Wednesday, 26 May 2021

Find out more and register online on the European Schoolnet Academy.

This MOOC is produced by European Schoolnet on behalf of the European Commission as part of the Better Internet for Kids contract with active involvement from Insafe network members. This MOOC has been made possible with financial support from the European Commission's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

Related news

2024-09-08 cyberbullying, love, relationships, sexuality (online), media literacy/education, sexting, sextortion BIK Team

Introducing the 2024 Back2School campaign

As students across Europe gear up for another exciting school year, the 2024 Back2School campaign is back to support teachers, educators, and all professionals working with young people. This year's themes focus on cyberbullying, sextortion, sexting, and the emerging role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.

2024-08-30 data privacy Romanian Safer Internet Centre

Is your child safe online?

Parents can mitigate the impact of technology on their child’s development by actively monitoring their children’s online activities and interactions. By becoming familiar with their children's and their friends' virtual environments, parents can more effectively address internet safety, manage screen time, and guide appropriate online interactions with both familiar and unfamiliar individuals. This proactive approach fosters a safer and more balanced digital experience for children.