How safe are children while using the Internet?

Belgrade, 11. February 2025. - UNICEF and Yettel have marked Safer Internet Day, which is globally celebrated since 2005 and reminds of common responsibility in creating safe digital surroundings for children. 

In order to respond to challenges that new technologies bring, UNICEF in Serbia and Yettel have started the initiative for promoting digital literacy of children. In cooperation with the Ministries of Education and Information and Telecommunications, publication “Digital Literacy” was published, intended for parents and teachers. This is the first issue within the edition “Digital Compass for Parents”, which provides concrete advice and resources for understanding online surroundings in which children are growing up. 

Research conducted through UNICEF U-Report platform shows that in Serbia almost one half of the young (44%) share their personal data on the network to access content, while 25% of them do it just for free access to WiFi network. Thanks to internet, children are offered vast possibilities, but are also exposed to serious risks - disinformation, violence, harmful content and abuse. The responsibility of parents and educational institutions is to render them support and teach them to use these technologies to serve them for learning, communication and connecting with the world. Safe conduct on the internet is one of the key aspects of digital literacy.  

The publication “Digital Literacy” helps in the education and establishment of open dialogue between children and parents, who often feel insecure about how they should follow their child’s development in this area.  

“Digital access does not necessarily man digital literacy. In order to truly empower the children to learn how to use digital technologies, it is necessary to equip them with the knowledge and skills how to safely find their way in the complex digital world. This is our common responsibility. By creating safe and stimulating online environment we not only protect children today, but also shape the future in which they can advance”, pointed out Deyana Kostadinova, Director of UNICEF in Serbia. 

UNICEF in Serbia and Yettel are continuing to promote children’s digital literacy and better connection of schools and pupils with Internet. Apart from publishing publications, the plan is to organise educational workshops and digital tools, which will enable parents and teachers to actively join in teaching children about the safe and responsible use of the Internet. 

“As a telecommunication company we have the responsibility and need to convey the knowledge necessary for safe use of the internet and protection from risks and threats. Years- long cooperation of UNICEF and Yettel has been launched with the aim of all children having the same possibilities for education and development in safe online surroundings. That’s why only through this project, we have ensured training for the development of digital skills and digital literacy for 60 thousand students, professors and parents. We are continuing to deal with this essential subject and activities which promote digital security so as to educate as many people as possible, especially children”, said Milica Begenišić, ESG Manager in Yettel. 

 You can download the publication here.