Talking safety " children and the web

These days, internet and the new media are part of children’s daily lives. But adults don't always know how young people are using these technologies, and the dangers they might be exposing themselves to.

To find out from young internet users what their needs are and how best to protect them, the Commission is today holding a European youth forum on internet safety in Brussels to mark its “Safer Internet Day”.

A group of 27 teenagers from 9 countries will meet the commissioners for information society/media (Viviane Reding) and consumer protection (Meglena Kuneva). It will be a unique opportunity to explain how they use technology like the internet and mobile phones, with the focus on the kind of dangers they encounter, how they respond to them and what action they would recommend.

Internet safety and security aside, the Commission wants to ensure that everybody has access to the information society in the first place. This is the reason for its latest campaign to raise awareness of “e-inclusion”.

Ms Reding will also announce the winners of the Safer Internet Day competition to create materials that get young people thinking about internet safety. Events are also planned in the different EU countries.

Safer internet website
http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities...

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