Creating a safer connected world: Research and policy

Research and policy

Through the Better Internet for Kids (BIK) agenda, the European Commission (EC), Safer Internet Centres (SICs) and other stakeholders regularly engage with partners from the fields of research and policy to strengthen the evidence base on children and young people’s online safety and protect, promote and advance their rights in the digital environment. Read on to discover more.

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How the internet influences children's career choices

Children have unprecedented access to information and resources that can shape their perceptions and aspirations for the future. According to recent findings, most children express that the internet is pivotal in confirming their beliefs about career paths. However, these opinions are far from definitive, with nearly half of them actively exploring alternative options online.  

Danish focus on 0–6-year-olds' use of digital media

In May 2022, the Danish awareness centre, The Media Council for Children and Young People, launched 'The First Digital Steps': a national initiative on 0–6-year-olds and digital media. The project remains relevant in the Danish context.

Youth Internet Monitor 2024

The Youth Internet Monitor is an initiative of Saferinternet.at and presents current data on the use of social media by young people in Austria. Which social networks are currently popular among young users in Austria? Which networks are most popular among girls? Which are the favourites with boys?

Launch of the Roadshow "ZIGZAGA na NET - Navegar a Cores" for Safer Internet Day 2024

The Safer Internet Day celebrations, which took place from 6 to 8 February in Viseu, Portugal, were marked by the launch of an innovative digital awareness resource: the colouring book "ZIGZAGA na NET - Navegar a Cores". The book was developed with the aim of promoting children's digital literacy and is based on "ZigZaga na Net. Novas aventuras", in turn inspired by the stories of the second season of the ZigZaga podcast.

GILM's multistakeholder model for media literacy in Portugal: GILM’s Next Steps

GILM (the Informal Group on Media Literacy) was represented at the “Media Literacy Matters Conference” in Brussels, by Sofia Rasgado (SIC - Safer Internet Centre) and Fernanda Bonacho (ESCS - School of Communication and Media Studies) who presented the Portuguese Multistakeholder approach for Media Literacy, with a particular focus on the next steps that this informal group on media literacy is ready to take.

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Useful content on research and policy

Find out more about how research and policy is helping to create a better internet for children and young people.

Safer Internet Forum

The annual Safer Internet Forum brings together young people, parent and teacher representatives, industry and government policymakers, technological and awareness-raising experts, and political, educational and social leaders from Europe and beyond. The last edition took place on 27 October 2022 in a hybrid format.

Find out more

BIK Policy Map

The Better Internet for Kids Policy Map was created to compare and exchange knowledge on policy making and implementation in EU Member States on the themes and recommendations of the European Strategy for a Better Internet for Children.

Explore the BIK Policy Map

Digital transformation

The time children and young people spend online has increased significantly, giving them access to unprecedented opportunities but also exposing them to new risks. To address this new reality, the European Commission is funding four Horizon 2020 projects.

Read more about the Horizon 2020 projects

Want to find out more about Safer Internet Centre (SIC) services and resources in your country?

Check out your SIC profile page to connect with national resources and sources of support, providing awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services.

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