Βack to school in Greece with a focus on digital citizenship

The Back to school 2023 package focuses on a very important topic: becoming a good and responsible internet user. It helps students understand what they can and should do online. It also talks about special rules for the internet, such as the Digital Services Act, which tries to make the internet a better place for everyone. 

Showing respect for your digital rights and responsibly following the rules of the digital world is crucial to be  a good online citizen. Students of all ages can learn and adopt a set of values through easy-to-follow lesson plans, fun quizzes, informative videos, colourful posters, interesting stories, and engaging online activities. These values will help them stay safe and make wise choices when using technology, especially when dealing with new and emerging risks.

Students learn about the concept of responsible internet usage with the help of a guide that includes activities both online and offline. They discover what they're allowed to do, what they should do online, and learn how to be friendly and polite when talking with others on the internet. Teachers are also equipped with their own guide. It explains how to teach digital citizenship, answers questions, and gives ideas for more discussions in class.

For the younger kids in kindergarten and first grade, there's an interactive video that helps them understand important concepts like being kind and understanding of others' feelings. They also learn to deal with mean or hurtful behaviour, which is crucial for building good relationships and preventing bullying. You can watch the video below.

For parents, there are two important guides in the Back to school package. One is about teaching kids how to be  good digital citizens. The other is about keeping children safe from malicious people online. Due to the internet, the way people make friends has changed over time. Many kids and young people meet new people online, even though they don't really know them in person. It's like they're not strangers, but they're not friends either. In this context, online friendships can be confusing. 

The main thing is to help children and young people learn the difference between safe online relationships, and the ones that might be risky. They should also know when and where to get help if they need it. This is important in today's digital world. 

Lastly, the Greek Safer Internet Centre (SIC), in collaboration with UNICEF, has integrated resources translated in different foreign languages into the Back to School resources. These materials include informative brochures covering a wide array of internet safety topics and issues like cyberbullying, sexting, online manipulation and exploitation, fake news, social media security, and excessive internet use. Additionally, the package contains age-appropriate stories for young children, conveying essential messages about safe internet practices, along with a user-friendly guide for navigating the internet safely.

What's noteworthy is that these materials have been translated into the most spoken languages among immigrant and refugee children in Greece, including Farsi, Arabic, French, and English. This approach ensures that a diverse range of young learners can access and benefit from this valuable resource. 

Our main goal is to ensure that migrant and refugee kids have a fair chance to use the internet safely and positively. We want to help them learn about the internet and how to be responsible when using it. This will give them the skills they need to be smart and safe online. 

Find more information about the work of the Greek Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline, and youth participation services – or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.