Ora de Net supports the Code Kids programme

Representatives of the Romanian Safer Internet Centre (SIC), together with Orange, have recently launched a series of digital education workshops for students enrolled in the national "Code Kids" programme which takes place in rural libraries.

Date 2018-01-08 Author Romanian Safer Internet Centre Section awareness

The Code Kids programme started in 2016. It involved the creation of 30 coding clubs in local libraries in the counties of Gorj, Argeş, Valcea, Bihor, Sălaj, Timiş and Arad for the development of coding skills for 380 children aged 10 to 14. The main activity is to create a system of coding and mentoring courses in local libraries, adapted locally, depending on the progress of learning and problem solving, using creative themes. Aside from programming skills, children enrolled in the project also need online safety information as frequent users of various devices which are connected to the internet. Consequently, digital education workshops were held in seven of the clubs enrolled in the programme during 2017, with the remaining 23 clubs scheduled to hold workshops during 2018.

During a two-hour training session, facilitators talked about bullying and its various forms, along with ways to stop the phenomenon and deal with those involved in the bullying process. Afterwards, they addressed children's internet and online activities, emphasising some of the risks associated with the use of new technologies: encounters with strangers, cyberbullying, unverified information, addiction, and so on, while also discussing the many benefits of the internet in children's lives. Participating children were encouraged to apply safe internet navigation principles and pass them on to peers who are not part of the coding group.

Find out more about the work of the Romanian Safer Internet Centre (SIC), including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services.

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