01.11.2020

Acting locally to prevent cyber-threats against children and youngsters

The Internet and ICT provide children and youngsters with a host of opportunities to play, learn, socialize and express themselves, find information and develop their digital and media literacy skills. However, the cyber world is also fraught with risks that affect particularly children and youngsters. Too often, youngsters post personal information that can be exploited against them. They can be unaware that personal content or images may be used against them by other youngsters or adults. They can become bullies themselves, or fall prey to grooming, sexting and sextortion.

Public authorities throughout Europe have long been aware of the need to protect youngsters against cyber harms, which requires, among other things, that they be better informed and savvy. Different stakeholders in Europe are joining forces to develop tools and resources and raise awareness among children, youngsters, their parents and pedagogues about online risks and the safe and responsible use of the Internet.

Significant work in this respect has been conducted by the European Safer Internet Centres (SIC), which are co-financed by the EU through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in Telecom scheme. 

Read article by Maija Katkovska 

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