Safe Social Media:
Counteracting Violence and revealing potential threats on Internet


 SUMMARY

​The virtual world is changing dynamically, which is why we want to simultaneously teach current methods and techniques for safe use of the Internet, as well as pass on universal rules that will allow young people to be safe online.

​The project aims to shaping an educational framework for digital critical skills’ literacy in the youth sector for EU citizens by
creating a transnational learning space, containing accessible and coherent knowledge. Our actions will result in better
universal abilities for protecting against harmful content online. Due to the diverse profile of the partners, we will ensure that
our work is versatile, exhaustive and relevant, and that it supports live-long learning and exchange of best practices.

In the first stage of the project, partners will conduct a detailed analysis of the most urgent cyberspace dangers using our joint
experience and international research. Then we will present the findings completed with practical defence techniques
against online threats in the form of a handbook for youth and educators. We will also prepare and implement an educational and
promotional social media campaign directed to the young with compelling and accessible knowledge on staying safe on
social media.

ABOUT THE PROJECTThe direct goal of the project is to find, develop and disseminate good practices and useful guidelines for the safe use of social media and the Internet by young people.

The virtual world is changing dynamically, which is why we want to simultaneously teach current methods and techniques for safe use of the Internet, as well as pass on universal rules that will allow young people to be safe online. Data released by Eurostat states that 95% of young people make daily use of the Internet. It is more than any other age range. The youngest generations were born
in times when technology was accessible enough to become a part of their everyday lives. Mobile phones and personal computers were an integral element of growing up for most people born after the year of 1995. For this reason it would seem that the youth should be prepared to keep up with the constant changes in digital technology, but in reality they are the group most vulnerable to various
online dangers.

Our special focus is directed towards methods of defence against online hate and violence, as well as harmful impact of unsafe social media interactions. A report “How children (10-18) experienced online risks during the Covid-19 lockdown – Spring 2020” published by the - European Commission differentiate four types of cyberbullying situations:
(1) nasty or hurtful messages were sent to me;
(2) nasty of hurtful messages about me were passed around or posted where other could see;
(3) I was left out or excluded from a group activity on the Internet; (4) I was threatened on the Internet.


Objectives
- exchange best practices between organisations active in teaching digital critical skills focusing on methodologies,
conditions and content of digital literacy in youth education;
- exchange best practices regarding developing and implementing educational prevention programs against harmful
content on the web;
- contribute to efforts in increasing competencies of low-skilled youth on digital skills’ literacy, that is, providing them with
accessible training on how to improve their competences in the matter;
- identify and develop a strategy around future European funding and new opportunities to develop an international,
standardised program improving critical skills in the use of digital technologies by the youth;
- promote collaboration of project consortium with other stakeholders such as local municipalities, corporations, youth
organisations, etc. and increase their impact on the beneficiaries.

RESULTS
The project’s results will be introduced to the general audience and professional educators to be used in two ways
- to deepen personal knowledge and
- to improve the quality of digital critical skills’ education.

Partners wish to have an impact in areas such as social media safety, fake news awareness and avoidance of e-violence. The main aim of the project is to promote the best principles of teaching technological competences, staying safe online and encouraging constructive virtual communication.


Handbook for YOUTH WORKERS
"Safe Internet: Best practices for youth-friendly social media and counteracting online violence"

The handbook is one of the project's outcomes and is addressed to teachers and educators. However, the project's primary target group is European youth, with particular emphasis on youth from marginalized regions, who are most vulnerable to harmful content and online hate. Data published by Eurostat indicates that 95% of young people use the internet daily. This is more than any other age group. The youngest generations were born at a time when technology was so accessible that it became part of their daily lives. Mobile phones and personal computers were an integral part of adolescence for most people born after 1995. For this reason, it might seem that young people should be prepared for the constant changes in digital technology, but in reality, they are the group most vulnerable to various online threats. We place particular emphasis on methods of defending against online hate and violence, as well as the harmful impact of unsafe interactions on social media.

The report "How children (10-18 years old) experienced online threats during the COVID-19 lockdown – Spring 2020," published by the European Commission, identifies four types of cyberbullying:
(1) I received unpleasant or hurtful messages;
(2) I had unpleasant or hurtful messages distributed or published about me in places visible to others;
(3) I was left out or excluded from online group activities; and (4) I received online threats. The report found that 26% of children had been victims of at least one of these types of bullying, and 24% had experienced each of these negative behaviors. With this in mind, we want to direct our project script to teachers and educators who care for and teach young people, who may often feel helpless/defenseless when faced with various types of online violence or hate speech. Particular attention should be paid to low-skilled youth, internally displaced persons, and those at risk of social exclusion. They have less access to reliable technological knowledge and are less likely to engage in social activities that could provide them with appropriate strategies to defend themselves against harmful content. Educators should take this into account.


Handbook for YOUTH "Safe Social Media"

The report states that 26% of children were victims of at least one of these types of bullying and 24% of children suffered every one of these negative behaviours.
Taking that into consideration, we want to address our project to young people who often may feel helpless against various kinds of online violence or hateful content.
We want to to reach out to youth and social workers, educators, who need useful and accessible courses and materials for developing digital critical skills among young people. They need new tools to improve the quality of their services – a set of
best practices tailored to the needs of the youth. We aim to help them by delivering knowledge about building resistance to online threats.
We care about enhancing our ability to provide quality educational products to youth, and improving staff skills through collaboration and exchange of experience at international level.
By improving the competences of young people and our employees, we want to have a positive impact in the long term.
All partner organisations implement projects using modern technologies, and their beneficiaries also include young people. Thanks to comprehensive preparation for communicating via the Internet, we can ensure future fruitful cooperation in other
areas, such as ecology, social participation and life-long education.

Series of educational and promotional materials addressed to young people on how to be safe on social media
​
Multiplayer Events - "Safe Social Media Day"

Website

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CONSORTIUM

Europäisches Haus Esthal GMBH Germany (E10293291)
E10090629 Fundacja im. Zofii Zamenhof Poland
E10045076 Cross Culture International Foundation Cyprus Cyprus

Series of educational and promotional materials addressed to young people 

MEETINGS

Multiplayer Events - "Safe Social Media Day"
​PAPHOS 2025