 | | | | | Welcome to the 28th edition of the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) bulletin. This quarterly bulletin aims to keep you informed of safer and better internet issues and opportunities across Europe and beyond. In each edition, we'll bring you a mix of news, research and resources from many of the key stakeholders in keeping children and young people safe online, be they European Safer Internet Centres (SICs), research organisations, industry partners, policy makers or experts in the field.
Also in each edition of the BIK bulletin, we look at a topical issue – this time, we recap on the many initiatives and policy developments in the field over the last year, and look forward to the ongoing work to keep children and young people safe online in 2022... and beyond. We also reflect back on the recent Safer Internet Forum, look forward to Safer Internet Day 2022, and bring you some seasonal tips for staying safe online, along with news and resources from the European network of Safer Internet Centres.
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And, if you have any comments on this resource, or would like to contribute to a future edition of the BIK bulletin, please contact us. | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | About the Better Internet
for Kids Project | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the European Commission (EC) has co-funded a range of better/safer internet services, both at the European and the national level. Building on the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children (BIK Strategy) as published in 2012, the BIK core service platform aims to bring together European stakeholders in the field to work collaboratively in achieving the goal of a better internet for all. In the future, actions will be funded through the Digital Europe Programme, while the BIK Strategy will be updated in 2022. This bulletin is just one of a range of tools and services provided. Keep following us across all BIK communication channels - see links in the footer of this email. | | | | | |  | | | | | | GOODBYE 2021; HELLO 2022! | | | | Looking back on an eventful year for Better Internet for Kids | | | | | | | | | | | As 2021 – yet another year full of uncertainty – comes to an end, Better Internet for Kids (BIK) recaps on the past year and reflects on the main highlights and activities of 2021, while introducing several exciting events and activities to look forward to in 2022.
Moving towards Europe's Digital Decade
Back in March 2021, the European Commission adopted the 2030 Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade, to translate the European Unionʼs digital ambitions for 2030 into concrete targets and to ensure that these objectives will be met. The document identified four 'cardinal points' on digital capacities in infrastructures, education and skills, and on the digital transformation of business and public services. This European way for the digital society also wants to ensure full respect of EU fundamental rights, and will propose a comprehensive set of digital principles, including protecting and empowering children in the online space.
Additionally, the importance of the rights of children and young people in the digital environment was highlighted with the publication of the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, also in March 2021, which aims to build the best possible life for children in the European Union and across the globe, including online, through the normalisation of child participation as part of the decision-making process. Within the same framework, the publication of the General Comment No. 25 by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in the same month placed a specific focus on the rights of young people in the online world. As a guiding principle, every child has the right to be respected, protected and fulfilled in the digital environment.
To participate in this effort, a consultation exercise was launched to gather the views of European citizens, and particularly those of children and young people, on these digital principles through the #DigitalDecade4YOUth consultation work and social media campaign.
The #DigitalDecade4YOUth consultation work
The #DigitalDecade4YOUth consultation targeted children, youth, parents and carers, teachers and educators, and other stakeholders from across the European Union and surveyed them on the priorities they see to promote, protect, respect and fulfil the rights of children and young people in a digital world.
The consultation work firstly gathered insights from some 750 children and young people through 70 focus groups, and then a wider consultation exercise aimed to gather broader input from those stakeholders who care for, educate, or can influence positive online opportunities and experiences for Europe's young people. The consultation work combined the use of a survey to collect more 'formal', structured feedback, and interactive polls on social media for quicker, more 'playful' responses.
In the survey, we asked a series of questions, based on the questions which children and young people responded to so that perspectives could be compared. We asked respondents to reflect on the opportunities and benefits that young people can gain from being online, the challenges and risks they might face, and who should be responsible for improving online experiences. We also asked for views on what policy makers need to do over the next decade to bring about change.
The outcomes of the consultation with children and young people are summarised in the report How to make Europe's Digital Decade fit for children and young people?, available on the Better Internet for Kids website. The findings were also presented and discussed, by multiple stakeholders, during the recent Safer Internet Forum.
Another successful edition of the Safer Internet Forum
The Safer Internet Forum (SIF) is a key annual international conference in Europe, organised by the European Commission, where policy makers, researchers, law enforcement bodies, youth, parents and carers, teachers, NGOs, industry representatives, experts and other relevant actors come together to discuss the latest trends, opportunities, risks and solutions related to child online safety. The 2021 edition took place online on 6-7 October, and specifically explored how to make Europe's Digital Decade fit for children and young people.
In addition to hearing from experts from academia, civil society, policy and industry, most importantly it heard from young people directly in order to more fully understand how technology can empower them, but equally the barriers which need to be addressed to enable a fully inclusive and safe online experience.
Moreover, SIF showcased key findings from the recent consultation exercises, amplifying the voices of children and young people to deliver a vision for a #DigitalDecade4YOUth. The event also highlighted the priorities that different groups, including parents, carers, and teachers, have identified in order to fulfil children's rights in a digital world, while allowing them to engage, create and contribute within safe, ethical and inclusive online spaces.
To discover more, visit www.betterinternetforkids.eu/sif, where you will find more information on the agenda and the Forum speakers, presentations and session recordings, and a report on the proceedings of Safer Internet Forum 2021 (and the preceding BIK Youth Panel). 
Looking back, 2021 has indeed been a busy year, rich in publications, initiatives, campaigns and several other activities, despite the ongoing challenging circumstances. But, with 2022 right around the corner, there is so much more to look forward to…
Launch of the European Commission's Digital Principles
The European Commission is currently discussing and engaging with Member States, as well as with the European Parliament, regional and economic and social partners and businesses on specific elements, as it progresses towards the inter-institutional declaration on Digital Principles. These principles will help to develop projected trajectories for each target of the path to the Digital Decade, together with Member States.
The European Commission gathered, from May to early September 2021, the views and opinions of all interested stakeholders on the formulation of these principles. The results of the consultation activities have been collected in the Summary report on the public consultation on a set of digital rights and principles (published in November 2021), and will serve as input to a proposal of the Inter-institutional Declaration of Digital Principles to be released in 2022.
2022 will be the European Year of Youth
Another observance to look forward to will place an even greater focus on young people. During the 2021 State of the Union address, EC President Ursula von der Leyen announced the adoption of the formal proposal to make 2022 the European Year of Youth.
With this celebration, the Commission aims, in cooperation with the European Parliament, Member States, regional and local authorities, stakeholders and young people themselves, to support the younger generations who have been heavily affected by the pandemic. Especially, the year will serve to highlight the opportunities and fresh perspectives offered by the digital transition for one's personal, social and professional development, to encourage young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to become active and digitally responsible citizens, and to get inspired from the views and visions of youth to further invigorate the common EU project, building upon the Conference on the Future of Europe.
Safer Internet Day 2022
Get ready to celebrate Safer Internet Day with us in less than two months, on Tuesday, 8 February 2022! With a theme once again of "Together for a better internet", the day will encourage all stakeholders across the globe to join together to make the internet a safer and better place for all, and especially for children and young people. See below for more information.
Launch of the new BIK Strategy
Within the various contexts outlined above, the time has come to review and update the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children (commonly known as the BIK Strategy) which has provided a key point of reference for online safety policy making since 2012. This forms a key part of the European Commission's legislative, policy and financial support to Member States to create a safer and better internet.
The updated version of the BIK Strategy will be published in the first half of next year, and will lay the foundations for creating safer, better and empowering online experiences for children and youth for years to come.
Placing a spotlight on Positive Online Content
The Positive Online Content Campaign (POCC) aims to ensure positive online experiences for younger children through child-friendly digital offerings. Indeed, the pandemic has clearly demonstrated that children and young people are increasingly using digital content and services to stay connected with family and friends, for schoolwork and learning, but also for fun and entertainment. A new edition will take place during 2022. Again, read more below.
As can be seen, another action-packed year is on the horizon! Stay tuned to future editions of the BIK bulletin to be updated on the upcoming activities, and visit the BIK platform – at www.betterinternetforkids.eu – regularly for the latest news and resources.
In the meantime, the Better Internet for Kids team wishes you a happy, restful, and safe festive season. Main image credit: Fauxels/Pexels | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | | | | Join us on Tuesday, 8 February 2022 as we celebrate the 19th edition of Safer Internet Day with actions taking place right across the globe. With a theme once again of "Together for a better internet", the day will call upon all stakeholders to join together to make the internet a safer and better place for all, and especially for children and young people.
Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in approximately 200 countries and territories worldwide. From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns.
Discover how you can get involved and how Safer Internet Day will be celebrated in your country on the Safer Internet Day website. Much of the day's activity - and campaign build-up - will play out on social media. Be sure to check our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok profiles, and review the #SaferInternetDay and #SID2022 hashtags to see the discussions taking place.
If you have any questions, comments or ideas on Safer Internet Day 2022, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us via the SID Helpdesk, and keep checking the Safer Internet Day website for the latest information. | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | INSAFE HELPLINES | | | | UPWARD TREND CONTINUES IN HELPLINE Contact NUMBERS | | | | | | | | | | | The Insafe network of helplines collects data about the types of calls received and this is analysed every three months to look at trends, and new and emerging issues. The most recent helpline data covers the period from July to September 2021. This reporting period saw over 15,000 contacts made to the helpline network and continued the overall upward trend in numbers of people reaching out to helplines.
The main users of the Insafe helplines continue to be teens (aged 12 to 18), with this group accounting for 59 per cent of all contacts during this reporting period. It is also interesting to note that 24 per cent of contacts were made by parents which is higher than it has ever been and perhaps is a reflection of the growing concerns that parents have about what their children are doing when they go online. A recent spate of worrying headlines, coupled with an acknowledgement that most people have been spending increasing amounts of time online as a result of the ongoing pandemic, will no doubt have contributed to their concerns. It is, however, reassuring that parents are recognising the services that helplines are able to offer and making use of these. This particular reporting period also covers the summer holiday period and so it is understandable that there are fewer calls from teachers during this quarter.
Read more to discover how users are contacting helplines and the issues being addressed.
Image credit: Marta Wave/Pexels | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | | | INHOPE HOTLINES | | | | Hotline expansion into high-risk countries | | | | | | | | | | | Is everyone able to report child sexual abuse material (CSAM) they might encounter on the internet? The answer is no. This question often disturbs people or unbalances them, because they cannot believe that people record and distribute the sexual abuse of children. By reducing the supply of CSAM, we reduce demand, as well as access to this content. And network expansion is how we can address the many parts of the world that do not yet offer public reporting.
Currently, the INHOPE network operates in 42 countries around the world. Its belief, however, is that every country must have a dedicated national hotline to which the public can report URLs of any images or videos of child sexual abuse. As the INHOPE network expands, it is focused on high-risk areas for CSAM production and hosting.
INHOPE determines target countries using its own country assessment framework to evaluate a variety of factors that result in an overall country rating. Multiple factors are taken into consideration including, but not limited to: - socio-economic and geographical factors.
- how engaged the government is in fighting online CSAM.
- if there is a task force in place.
- if there is a specialised CSAM police unit.
- the presence of international and national child protection organisations.
- the likelihood of INHOPE successfully setting up a hotline.
- risk factors, such as hosting volume and production of CSAM.
- what legislation is in place.
The final rating determines whether or not a particular country will be on INHOPE's target list. INHOPE's goal is to have hotlines around the world and hence it must prioritise high-risk areas. The target list always includes major internet usage expansion zones (Asia Pacific, South Asia, Latin America & Africa, and the Middle East and North Africa) as this is a vital factor in the removal of CSAM online.
Read on to learn more about the approach, including: - The value of a local presence.
- Getting government support.
- Setting up a Memorandum of Understanding with law enforcement.
- Creating education, awareness, and action with civil society and NGOs.
- Building relationships with industry.
Image credit: INHOPE | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | | SEASONAL TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE | | | | | | |  | | | Online shopping: read before you buy | | | | | | | | With the hunt for Christmas gifts now well and truly upon us, online shops are once again tempting buyers with discounts and special offers. BEE SECURE, part of the Luxembourgish Safer Internet Centre, provides some tips to prevent your enticing online shopping experience from ending in frustration. | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | The Positive Online Content Campaign guides you through the festive season and into the new year | | | | | | | In 2022, a new Positive Online Content Campaign (POCC) will highlight new resources throughout Europe, provide special tips from experts for parents and educators, and seek the voices and views of children themselves. It will also explore emerging technologies and consider providers' responsibilities, alongside much more – stay tuned in the new year to discover more!
Before we kick off the new campaign, however, let's look at the basics: What does positive online content mean exactly? In brief, positive online content adheres to certain core values and aims to provide a positive impact on children. It is empowering, engaging, stimulating and safe (read more on the definition and discover a handy checklist here).
With the holiday season upon us, positive online content and services can ensure safe, fun, engaging and creative digital experiences with new devices or during streaming and gaming activities in families. Check out our top tips for parents and families.
| | | | | | | | |  | | | #SeizeTheControls with ISFE | | | | | | | Europe's video games sector is a thriving creative and digital industry that provides enjoyment, entertainment, fitness, education, and helps to improve digital skills. ISFE (Interactive Software Federation of Europe) represents the video games industry in Europe and is based in Brussels, Belgium. Since 1998, ISFE has ensured that the voice of a responsible games ecosystem is heard and understood, that its creative and economic potential is supported and celebrated, and that players around the world continue to enjoy great video game playing experiences.
ISFE has launched a pre-Christmas campaign, #SeizeTheControls, to raise awareness of the parental controls, family settings and other tools available to parents, caregivers, and players to manage responsible video gameplay and to make it a positive, fun pastime for all.
For more information, visit the ISFE website. | | | | | |  |  | | | | | BIK YOUTH | | | | | | |  | | | BIK Youth Panel 2021 share their hopes for the Digital Decade | | | | | | | The BIK Youth Panel were present at the recent Safer Internet Forum (SIF), where they presented their views on the future of the internet. This year's panel comprised 30 youth aged 12-18 from 19 European countries.
The panel first met, online, during September and brainstormed and researched topics that they feel policy makers need to address. Collectively, they want the internet to be a better and safer place, while at the same time offering opportunities and benefits. They subsequently created a video for each topic, which were shown and discussed at the Forum: Read a summary of the young people's active input throughout this year's event in the SIF public report.
To learn more about the BIK Youth Panel 2021 and their ongoing work, please keep an eye on the BIK Youth minisite and the BIK Youth Twitter profile. | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | BIK Youth reflect on parent-child relationships online | | | | | | | BIK Youth was represented in a policy and advocacy session on parent-child relationships in the digital era, organised by COFACE Families Europe in the context of International Children's Day 2021.
BIK Youth Ambassadors formed part of the panel as representatives of children and young people. They shared their first-hand experiences on this new lifestyle which has been brought about by the digital era, and how technology has influenced family dynamics. | | | | | |  |  | | | | | PROMOTING GOOD PRACTICES | | | | | | |  | | | Raising awareness on the risks and effects of cyberbullying | | | | | | | The KID_ACTIONS project aims to address cyberbullying among children and adolescents through interactive education and gamification within formal and non-formal learning settings at the EU level. The project objective is to support teachers, educators, and youth workers in fostering effectiveness and efficiency in education about risks and effects of cyberbullying, raise awareness among secondary school students and youth centres, and encourage reporting by victims and bystanders.
On 29-30 November 2021, the first KID_ACTIONS EU Policy, Research and Practitioners Forum took place in Trento, Italy and online. Educators, researchers, youth workers, academics, and experts from the IT sector gathered to discuss the important matter of preventing and responding to cyberbullying.
To learn more about the project more generally, visit the KID_ACTIONS website, and follow the KID_ACTIONS Twitter profile. | | | | | |  |  | | | | | NEWS FROM THE NETWORK | | | | | | |  | | | ON-LINE ZOO, a new series of short stories about online safety | | | | | | | | This collection of playful poems was created as an extension of the book ON-LINE ZOO, originally created by the Austrian Safer Internet Centre and translated into Czech, which introduces children of pre-school and earlier school grades to the most common risks associated with the use of the internet. | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | Media literacy project for 0-6-year-olds in Denmark | | | | | | | The Danish Media Council for children and young people is currently cooperating with several media professionals, parents and carers, and children to produce a series of materials and activities as part of a nationwide project on media literacy for 0-6-year-olds and those that care for them.
| | | | | | | | |  | | | The 2021 edition of the Youth Work Week in Estonia focused on mental health and digitalisation | | | | | | | | The eleventh annual Youth Work Week in Estonia took place from 22-30 November 2021. This year, the campaign focused on the relationship between young people's mental health and digitalisation. | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | Launch of E-Junior: an edutainment platform by Samsung and Tralalere | | | | | | | | Samsung Electronics France, in collaboration with Tralalere and its Internet Sans Crainte programme (part of the French SIC), has recently launched the new edutainment platform e-Junior.fr designed for children to make learning about online safety issues easier and more enjoyable. | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | "klicksafe fragt…", a new podcast by the German Awareness Centre, klicksafe | | | | | | | | klicksafe, the awareness-raising node of the German Safer Internet Centre, presents the new podcast series "klicksafe fragt…" (klicksafe asks…). In it, complex topics relating to the online safety of children and young people are discussed in detail. Are social networks a good idea for children and youth? Is the gaming community harmful? What approach should parents and carers take on the topic of sexting? In the podcasts, klicksafe invites experts and professionals to discuss these and other key questions. | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | Information campaign on online frauds by the Greek Safer Internet Centre and the National Cyber Security Authority | | | | | | | | At a time when online interactions and activities have increased rapidly due to the pandemic, with young people spending an increasingly high amount of time in the digital world, new forms of fraud are constantly emerging, making online safety education for users an urgent and primary need. | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | Children in Latvia learn about internet safety through audio fairy tales | | | | | | | | The Latvian Safer Internet Centre, together with children from the Riga French Lycée, has released nine fairy tales about internet safety, in audio format, for 7-12-year-old children to promote safe, responsible, and meaningful use of the internet. | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | Norwegian Safer Internet Centre assesses the campaign #letstalkaboutnudes | | | | | | | | What impact do awareness campaigns targeted at parents and carers actually have? The Norwegian Safer Internet Centre has recently carried out an evaluation of one of its resources, #letstalkaboutnudes, which provides advice and guidance on sexting. | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | The Slovenian Awareness Centre organised many webinars during the autumn season | | | | | | | The Slovenian Awareness Centre, Safe.si, organised three online events for students, teachers, and kindergarten teachers in autumn 2021, which allowed for more people to participate. Additionally, a recording is usually available for those who cannot attend live.
| | | |  |  | | | | | STAY UP TO DATE IN 2022 | | | | | | |  | | | Future editions of the BIK bulletin | | | | | | | We hope that you enjoy reading the quarterly Better Internet for Kids (BIK) bulletin. We'll be back in 2022 with four fresh new editions in March, June, September and December. We also hope to bring you a fresh new design in the new year. Stay tuned for more information!
In the meantime, check out past editions of the BIK bulletin for coverage on a range of safer and better internet issues. | | | | | | |
