Digital agenda and Safer Internet Programme...

http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/creating-better-internet-kids

http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/sip/index_en.htm

Children need quality content online, and skills and tools for using the Internet safely

Today, children in Europe start using the Internet on average when they are 7 years old. One in three goes online via mobile phones, game consoles or other mobile devices. At the same time, many young children say there are not enough good things for them to do online. They need the skills and tools for using the Internet safely and responsibly.

In May 2012 the Commission set out a European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children to give children the digital skills and tools they need to fully and safely benefit from being online. It also aims to unlock the potential of the market for interactive, creative and educational online content. The strategy proposes a series of actions grouped around the following main goals:
Stimulate the production of creative and educational online content for children as well as promoting positive online experiences for young children
scaling up awareness and empowerment including teaching of digital literacy and online safety in all EU schools
Create a safe environment for children through age-appropriate privacy settings, wider use of parental controls and age rating and content classification
Combat child sexual abuse material online and child sexual exploitation

The strategy brings together the European Commission and Member States with mobile phone operators, handset manufacturers and providers of social networking services to deliver concrete solutions for a better internet for children.

The Commission will mainly carry out its tasks through the implementation of the Safer Internet Programme (until 2013) and afterwards via its proposals for the Connecting Europe Facility and other programmes such as H2020.

The strategy itself is available in 22 official languages.

https://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/node/286

Safer Internet Programme: Empowering and Protecting Children Online

Young people and children are today amongst the biggest user groups of online and mobile technologies in Europe. The Safer Internet Programme aims at empowering and protecting children and young people online by awareness raising initiatives and by fighting illegal and harmful online content and conduct.


The Safer Internet Programme launches calls for proposals to select and finance projects aimed at creating a safer online environment for young people. It also supports two annual events, Safer Internet Day and Safer Internet Forum.

See the Safer Internet brochure

Safer Internet Centres: awareness raising and fighting illegal content

The Safer Internet Centres, present in 30 European countries, develop information/awareness raising material and organize information sessions for children, parents and teachers. They also receive reports on illegal content found on the Internet and give advice on how to stay safe online. The Centres have also set up youth panels who are consulted on safer Internet issues and information material.

A multi-stakeholder approach leading to complementary activities

The Safer Internet Programme brings together stakeholders who can contribute to make the Internet safer: it funds, in particular, a network of NGOs active in the field of child welfare online, a network of law enforcement bodies who exchange information and best practices related to criminal exploitation of the Internet in dissemination of child sexual abuse material and a network of researchers who gather information about uses, risks and consequences of online technologies for children's lives. Industry-regulation is also encouraged.

News
•Europe's top tech executives and Commission affirm commitment to collaborate, not compete to improve the internet for kids (06/06/13)
•Network Technologies Newsflash (04/06/13)
•Create Best Online Content for Kids and win the European Award! (12/05/13)

All news...Subscribe to the Safer Internet Programme News Feed

Next Events
•Safer Internet Forum 17-18 October 2013 - registration open (17 - 18 October 2013)
•The leading forum for Europe's Research & Innovation (Vilnius, 6 - 8 November 2013)