First BIK+ Strategy evaluation: registration for teachers and educators NOW OPEN!

Register to participate in the first evaluation of the European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+ strategy)!

Dear teachers and educators, we are delighted to invite you to participate in the first evaluation of the European strategy for a better internet for kids+ (BIK+ strategy). Your invaluable experience and insights are crucial as we assess the progress and success of BIK+ across the EU and identify emerging issues, developments, and areas of improvement.

Objective

Our goal is to comprehensively evaluate the BIK+ strategy to ensure it continues to be responsive, inclusive, and effective against the backdrop of an ever-evolving digital landscape in and beyond school environments. We need your direct input as professionals who interact with students daily and understand the real-world implications of the BIK+ strategy and associated policies and priorities.

Why your participation matters

Teachers are the backbone of our educational system and, thus, in teaching our youngest the digital skills and competences needed to stay safe in, enjoy, and actively participate in digital environments. Your first-hand experiences provide a unique perspective on the successes and challenges of the current BIK+ strategy. By contributing to this consultation, you will have the opportunity to:

• Influence policy: Directly impact the refinement of policies that affect your work and your students' learning environment.
• Voice successes and concerns: Share your insights on what has worked well and what needs improvement.
• Collaborate with peers: Engage in meaningful dialogue with fellow educators across the EU.
• Enhance professional growth: Gain deeper insights into the BIK+ strategy evaluation process and its implications for your profession.

Your expertise and commitment are invaluable to us. Together, we can assess and refine the future policy framework to ensure it meets evolving needs and guarantees safe, robust, and engaging digital environments for all.

Areas of focus

We are seeking input on a wide range of topics derived from the three pillars of the BIK+ strategy:

• Pillar 1 – Safe digital experiences to protect children from harmful and illegal content, conduct, contact, and consumer risks and to improve their well-being online through a safe, age-appropriate digital environment, created in a way that respects children’s best interests.
• Pillar 2 – Digital empowerment so children acquire the necessary skills and competencies to make sound choices and express themselves in the online environment safely and responsibly.
• Pillar 3 – Active participation, respecting children by giving them a say in the digital environment, with more child-led activities to foster innovative and creative safe digital experiences.

How to participate

We have designed a focus-group-based online consultation process to ensure comprehensive and inclusive participation. The session delves deep into how the BIK+ strategy impacts your area of work, unpacking the successes after two years of implementing the strategy and the challenges for the years ahead. The consultation session will be scheduled throughout  October 2024.

Timeline

• Extended registration deadline: Sunday, 29 September 2024. 
• Consultation sessions will be organised online at different times and dates between Monday, 14 October and Thursday, 31 October 2024 (exact dates and times will be shared in due time via email).
• Session duration: 1 – 1.5 hours.
• Deadline for submitting additional written feedback after the consultation session (optional): Friday, 01 November 2024, 18.00 CET.
• Publication of evaluation report: February 2025.

What are you waiting for?