Only a combination of both strategies – use of technical solutions and empowerment of children and youth and responsible adults in the case of minors by digital literacy – can induce ongoing and effective protection of children and youth.
Both together will ensure that the impact of the project is effective for the pedagogical area as well as for the industry sector.
More interesting details and further results from the survey will be published in further newsletters and can be found in the website under www.yprt.eu later on.
Eurobarometer: Are Europe's children too confident in tackling online risks?
Eurobarometer's qualitative survey interviewed children of 9-10 and 12-14 years old from all 27 EU Member States plus Norway and Iceland. They were asked in-depth about how they use online technologies, and how they would react to problems and risks when using the internet and mobile phones.
The survey shows that children use technologies in very similar ways all across Europe. Online gaming, surfing and communication are considered as the top activities online while texting, and talking with parents and friends come out top for young mobile users. The majority use the internet several times a day, and also own a personal mobile phone. Internet use is to some extent limited by parents while the use of mobile phones is much freer and less supervised.
The results show that children are globally well aware of the potential online risks, such as security, viruses, access to unwanted content, identity theft and potential dangerous contact with strangers. Many of them are also well aware of the necessary precautions they need to take.
Some children nevertheless admitted that they have engaged in risky behaviour, and some acknowledged that they have been victims of bullying and had contacts with strangers. Even though young people know about of the risks and precautions, most would rather try to solve the problem themselves or with friends, and would talk to their parents only as a last resort in the most serious cases.
