Greek Safer Internet Centre promotes positive online content

On the final day of the inaugural Positive Online Content Campaign (POCC) Awareness Week, we focus on national positive online content initiatives. Here, we hear from the Greek Safer Internet Centre (SIC) on some of its resources which help to promote positive online content concepts with the aim of providing better online experiences for children and young people.

Date 2017-09-29 Author Greek Safer Internet Centre Section awareness, positive-content

Undoubtedly, the advancement of technology is beneficial for both children and adults since it opens new horizons and new possibilities that seemed impossible in the past. The vast amount of information available on the internet is accessible to each student to help them enrich their knowledge. For example, many encyclopedias are fully available online for free and, with just the touch of a button, a student can access any material he or she wants. Additionally, internet games are certainly a fun activity that animate and entertain children. However, children's interests should not be restricted only to entertainment, but should also promote creativity. Moreover, the philosophy governing online safety has changed over recent years: the main aim is no longer to just create a safe internet, but instead a safe and creative internet. And increasingly, it's crucial to educate children on how to behave online as they represent the current generation of tomorrow's digital citizens. Through its work, the Greek Safer Internet Centre (SIC) places an emphasis on changing attitudes towards the use of the internet and promoting the involvement of children in developing both a positive and creative internet.

With weekly visits to schools, the SaferInternet4Kids team (the awareness-raising strand of the Greek SIC) attempts to convey to children the importance of positive internet engagement which can help them to stay safe beyond any limit or rule. A major contribution to this effort is the material created by the Greek SIC, which is available through the SaferInternet4Kids.gr website. This informative portal provides a whole range of multimedia material which is refreshed daily, including comprehensive guides, free online tools, presentations on hot topics, awareness videos, informative webinars, lesson plans, and so on. Quizzes, educational material for all ages, and a regularly-updated news section covering the latest developments on internet safety and privacy supplement the content. The portal has received a great response from teachers, students and parents alike.

Recently, the Greek Safe Internet Centre created a comic book starring Athena and Hermes, well-known characters in Greece who have become synonymous with efforts to create a safer internet. In a fun way, the two heroes talk about the benefits of the digital world and advise children on how to use it properly so that they can enjoy its many positive aspects. Read the comic book (in Greek) on the SaferInternet4Kids.gr website.

screenshot from the website

In addition, through an animated video also starring Athena and Hermes, the Greek SIC tries to teach children how to behave correctly towards other users, helping them to adopt positive strategies for interacting with others online, while avoiding online bullying. The video is available on the SaferInternet4Kids.gr YouTube channel.

Equally, a more general animated video on online safety is available also.

I not only play on the internet, I also learn…
As stated, the activities of children on the internet should not only be restricted to entertainment, but should also include opportunities to express and develop creativity. There are many examples of websites for young people which offer more than just simple entertainment. Such websites typically deliver information through an effective combination of image and sound which children enjoy while effortlessly acquiring knowledge while they conquer the game. Some examples are further described below:

  • www.cyberkid.gov.gr is an initiative of the Ministry for Citizens' Protection and the Greek Cybercrime Unit that is being implemented by the Electronic Crime Prosecution in the framework of information and awareness raising for children up to 12 years of age. Parents can visit Cyberkids with their children to play, while they can also be informed about online safety.
  • www.mikrosanagnostis.gr is the National Book Center website and addresses children aged 3-13. Children can read books online, search for a book, listen to actors read stories, learn about different topics each month, get to know creators, take part in competitions, and so on.
  • www.imeakia.gr is the website of the Foundation of the Hellenic World and is aimed at children aged 4-13. Children can have fun with various knowledge games, draw and print their drawings, download useful applications for their computer, and participate in competitions.
  • www.jele.gr is addressed to primary school children. Jele is an interactive system of educational/recreational activities based on elementary school material. It is an educational aid to enriching and enhancing the learning process through a carefully thought-out environment for children.

Positive content and Safer Internet Day
In addition, competitions organised by the Greek Safer Internet Centre in all schools in the country as part of the annual Safer Internet Day (SID) celebrations provides an excellent opportunity to promote positive internet engagement. Last year, children painted, created posters and videos that highlighted the positive use of the internet in a unique way. See the children's creations on the SaferInternet4Kids.gr website.


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

Find out more about the European Positive Online Content Campaign.

Find out more about the global Safer Internet Day campaign.

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