KMOP contributes to the first evaluation of the “European Strategy for a Better Internet for Kids – BIK+”

KMOP, under the auspices of European Schoolnet and COFACE Families Europe, took part in the first evaluation of the “European Strategy for a Better Internet for Kids (BIK+)”, by organising a focus group with parents in Greece.

The BIK+ Strategy, adopted by the European Commission in May 2022, aims to make the internet a safer and better place for children and young people. Three years after its launch, progress was assessed with the involvement of children, young people, educators, parents, and other stakeholders in the “Better Internet for Kids” ecosystem.

The three pillars of the BIK+ Strategy:

1. Safe digital experiences:
   Protecting children from seeing or experiencing things online that make them feel scared, sad or uncomfortable.
2. Digital empowerment:
   Helping young people get the skills they need to use the internet in smart and safe ways.
3. Active participation:
   Letting young people share their ideas and be part of the decisions about the online world.

What did parents say?
KMOP’s discussion revealed key insights and concerns from parents:

• Digital use has become normalized in childhood:
  “Let’s not forget that during the pandemic, all these devices… their use suddenly became normal. Until then, they were a bit demonised by parents, but now they’re part of every household. So, it’s natural for children to start using them.”
• Digital life is integral to socializing:
  “Children who are not online are somewhat excluded from school groups. Even during school breaks, conversations revolve around the games they play or what they did or saw online.”
• Parents face complex challenges:
  They pointed to risks such as fake news, inappropriate or violent content, online scams, grooming, and addiction.

Recommendations for future action:

1. Simplify the reporting process for problematic content and ensure swift, effective responses.
2. Integrate digital literacy into school curricula.
3. Offer more opportunities for children to shape decisions about their digital environment.
4. Conduct more research into the impact of digital technologies on children’s well-being.
5. Support families and schools in strengthening digital literacy.

Read the full report of the first evaluation.

Download the family-friendly infographic.

For further information, contact us at [email protected].