Insafe network meets to discuss the metaverse and misinformation related to the conflict in Ukraine

Today, 15 June 2022, the Insafe network of European Safer Internet Centres (SICs) begins a two-day training meeting online. It provides an opportunity to facilitate sharing of experience and good practice between network countries, and to explore areas of common ground and occasions for closer working between awareness raising, helpline, and youth participation strands.

Date 2022-06-15 Author BIK Team Section awareness, helplines, industry Topic media literacy/education Audience media specialist, organisations and industry, research, policy and decision makers
Group of people discussing cheerfully around a table with laptop

The meeting will commence with a keynote address on the implications of the metaverse, exploring in detail what it actually is, when it will be implemented, and analysing how the online experiences of children and young people will be impacted by it, including potential risks and opportunities. The following sessions will provide insight on the implications of the metaverse for industry – including inputs from Meta and Roblox – and consider what companies are doing to prevent harm in the metaverse, and how to moderate the real-time conversations and actions taking place there. Lastly, the participants will reflect on the possible challenges for Safer Internet Centres. 

The second day will be dedicated to discussions on the conflict in Ukraine. It will especially focus on how to support children and young people in navigating mis/disinformation that is found in news sources reporting on the war, and the role of social media platforms – for example, TikTok – as well as fact-checkers and end-users themselves in spreading viral inaccurate information. Capitalising on the capacity-building nature of the Insafe network, SICs will exchange thoughts and best practices on how to deal with challenges related to the conflict based on national experiences. 

The training meeting will also provide an opportunity for members of the Insafe network to learn more about the new EU Strategy for a Better Internet for Kids (BIK+), which was released in May 2022, and reflect on what the new strategy means for SICs. 

In addition, participants will engage in and celebrate the winner of a customary resource competition to showcase a diverse range of educational resources and materials created by the network

The training meeting will also include a network planning session for the forthcoming edition of Safer Internet Day, taking place on Tuesday, 7 February 2023. The next edition will mark the 20th anniversary of the celebration of this landmark event.   

If you wish to learn more about the work of the Insafe network of Safer Internet Centres and other stakeholders in the field, visit the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) portal and subscribe to the quarterly BIK bulletin for news and resources on the latest trends and challenges online. 

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