Creating a safer connected world: Research and policy

Research and policy

Through the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) agenda, the European Commission (EC), Safer Internet Centres (SICs) and other stakeholders regularly engage with partners from the fields of research and policy to strengthen the evidence base on children and young people’s online safety and protect, promote and advance their rights in the digital environment. Read on to discover more.

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Today is the Safer Internet Forum 2023

The Forum seeks to discuss and showcase initiatives related to developing digital skills for children, parents and teachers while also paying attention to the needs of vulnerable children. This year’s edition takes place in a hybrid format in Brussels, Belgium and online with the theme of Empowering YOUth with skills for the Digital Decade. As part of the European Year of Skills and other policy frameworks, the Safer Internet Forum 2023 focuses on pillars two and three of the BIK+ strategy. It delves into digital empowerment and active participation/respect concerning children and young people. 

European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse

Today, 18 November 2023, marks the day of the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. The Council of Europe created it to inform and discuss the importance of protecting children against child sexual exploitation. The theme of this year, “Learning from victims/survivors of childhood sexual violence to inspire policy change”, underscores the importance of engaging with victims at national and local levels.

ECPAT International Conference on child safety in Taipei

On 31 October 2023, ECPAT Taiwan hosted the ECPAT international conference on child safety. The conference covered a wide range of topics related to child safety online, from the impact of pornography to digital literacy and the role of schools and parents in fostering a safer online environment for children. The discussions were informative and provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in child safety.

Child safety in Tapei: Insights from the ECPAT International Conference

On 31 October 2023, ECPAT Taiwan hosted the ECPAT International Conference on child safety. Our BIK Youth Ambassador, Kathrin Morasch, a longtime advocate for online safety for children and youth, provides us with her insights regarding the conference and reflects on her involvement as a keynote speaker, sharing the perspective of the BIK+ strategy, youth participation and the European Union's rules protecting minors. 

The Insafe network meets to discuss the Digital Services Act (DSA) and AI at the Insafe Training meeting

Today, another edition of the bi-annual Insafe Training meeting kicks off. The event is an opportunity for the Insafe network of European Safer Internet Centres (SICs) to meet to facilitate the sharing of experience and good practices between network countries, to explore areas of common ground, and opportunities for closer working between awareness raising, helpline, and youth participation strands. The October 2023 Insafe Training meeting is held online, and includes three mornings of sessions on exploring the opportunities and challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

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Useful content on research and policy

Find out more about how research and policy is helping to create a better internet for children and young people.

The annual Safer Internet Forum brings together young people, parent and teacher representatives, industry and government policymakers, technological and awareness-raising experts, and political, educational and social leaders from Europe and beyond. The last edition took place on 27 October 2022 in a hybrid format.

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The Better Internet for Kids Policy Map was created to compare and exchange knowledge on policy making and implementation in EU Member States on the themes and recommendations of the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children.

Explore the BIK Policy Map

The time children and young people spend online has increased significantly, giving them access to unprecedented opportunities but also exposing them to new risks. To address this new reality, the European Commission is funding four Horizon 2020 projects.

Read more about the Horizon 2020 projects

Want to find out more about Safer Internet Centre (SIC) services and resources in your country?

Check out your SIC profile page to connect with national resources and sources of support, providing awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services.