Introducing the 2024 Back2School campaign

The Back2School campaign aims to foster safer digital environments in schools by providing teachers and educators with resources and tools to address pressing digital-related topics. As young people spend more time online, issues like cyberbullying and sexting have become more prevalent. Additionally, the rise of AI offers both opportunities and challenges in education, making it a timely focus for this year’s campaign. Running from the 9th September to the end of the month, the campaign will provide extensive support to teachers, helping them navigate these complex issues in their classrooms.

Focus areas of the campaign
The 2024 Back2School campaign focuses on the following key areas:

• Cyberbullying. With social media and online communication now integral to young people’s lives, cyberbullying has become an urgent issue. The campaign will provide teachers with the knowledge and tools to identify, address, and prevent online harassment, fostering a supportive environment where students can feel safe both in the classroom and online.
• Sextortion and sexting. As digital communication becomes more personal, students face new risks. Sexting and sextortion are growing concerns, with serious consequences for victims. This campaign aims to equip educators with guidance on how to discuss these sensitive topics, empowering students to make informed and safe decisions online.
• Artificial Intelligence in education. AI is rapidly transforming the educational landscape, from personalized learning platforms to AI-driven assessments. While it brings incredible benefits, it also raises ethical concerns, such as data privacy and bias. The campaign will explore how teachers can leverage AI in their classrooms while ensuring its ethical use and safeguarding student well-being.

The Teacher corner: your resource hub
The campaign is based on the resources that you can find on the Teacher corner. This is a dedicated section of the BIK portal where educators can access a wealth of resources on digital citizenship and online safety, such as:

• Comprehensive learning modules that delve into the opportunities and risks associated with the digital world.
• In-depth articles offering insights into key issues like cyberbullying, sextortion, sexting, and AI in education.
• Guides to help teachers integrate online safety and responsible technology use into their curriculum.

Moreover, on Thursday, 12 September 2024, at 17:00 CEST, we will host a free Back2school webinar for teachers as part of the BIK Teacher Corner series, designed to ensure that teachers and educators are equipped with the tools and knowledge to help their students have a safe and productive start to the school year. Our featured speaker, Gareth Cort, will lead the session, providing actionable insights and practical tips for addressing current digital-related issues.

Follow the campaign!
To stay up to date with campaign activities and access the latest resources, follow the hashtag #BIKBack2School across social media. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn to join the conversation and share how you are integrating these themes into your classroom.

Empower students to thrive in today’s digital world with this year’s Back2School campaign!