Together for digital security

Digitalisation has brought a new dimension to inequality in schools: digital inequality. This is why it is crucial that primary school children who otherwise have limited or no access to the tools and support they need to learn the basics of online safety and the digital skills that are essential today are also taught the skills they need. Children who are not adequately supported in this will fall further behind in their learning and become more vulnerable to the dangers of the online world (exposure to violent, pornographic content, grooming by strangers, abuse personal data, photos and videos online, harassment, fake news, addiction to games and social media, social isolation) and their fundamental rights such as the right to an equal education and safety, protection of their personal data and freedom of information are violated.

The initiative will run weekly skills sessions in primary schools and schools for children aged 9-14, and one-off sessions in other primary schools to teach children the basics of digital safety. The programme teaches children the skills that will help them navigate safely in the digital space and become savvy and critical users of the online world. The knowledge they acquire will help them in their learning, in their daily lives and in preparing them for the challenges they will face in participating in democratic process and in the world of work. The lesson plans of the programme will be made publicly available for teachers to use in similar playful skill-building sessions.