Safer Internet Day: “The Smile of the Child” met with students and discussed on all those risks that hide behind a screen

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Safer Internet Day: “The Smile of the Child” met with students and discussed on all those risks that hide behind a screen

“Penny K., a 16-year-old girl, checks in from her home where she is with her friends, watching a movie. As soon as her post is uploaded Nikos X, sends her a friend request. She doesn’t know him in person, but they have common friends. She accepts the request and he starts sending her messages. In the beginning Penny K. replied to his messages, but at a certain moment…”

On the occasion of the 7th of February, Safer Internet Day, “The Smile of the Child” organized an interactive meeting with middle school students from Malliaras, G. Nea Ekpaideftiria under the coordination of the European Student Volunteer Network YouSmile.gr. The aim of the meeting was to encourage students to discuss Internet safety and the proper behavior on the Internet, as well as identify the risks that might hide behind a screen.

The President of the BoD of “The Smile of the Child”, Costas Yannopoulos, welcomed the students at the studio of YouSmile and highlighted the risks and threats for children on the Internet. “The goal is not to ban children from using the Internet, technology and social media, but to inform and protect them from the risks on their Internet life. Over the past years, sadly, we notice that one of the main reasons for the absconding of teenagers from their family environment is due to the unfortunate trust of children in online friends without knowing the face that hides behind the safety of a screen, posing risks even to their own lives”.

The psychologists of “The Smile of the Child” prepared a video, based on a real story, with the adventure of the teenager Penny K. and an unknown person named Niko X. that developed on a social media channel and gave the opportunity for a fruitful dialogue among the students.

Upon the encouragement of the psychologists students shared their personal experiences, highlighting important risks that can lie behind a screen, such as cyberbullying, Internet addiction and others. The psychologists of the Organization provided useful tips regarding the protection of personal data of the young people, while they also analyzed the advantages provided by new technological means and the ways which young people can utilize in order to maintain their Internet identity safe.

Based on the presented case of the 16-year-old teenager “The Smile of the Child” asked from 4 parents of teenagers to share their thoughts on the story and the Internet life of their children.

At the same time, “The Smile of the Child” asked from 6 students to share their views on the adventure of the 16-year-old girl and what they consider necessary in order to deal with the risks on the Internet.

At the end the meeting students visited the premises of the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056 and met with psychologists and social workers who staff the Helpline. The students were informed on the operation of the Line, as well as the fact that SOS 1056 sets its services at the disposal of all children in Greece, for any problem that they might face, on a daily basis, 24 hours a day, free of charge from landlines and mobiles.

On the occasion of the 7th of February, Safer Internet Day, “The Smile of the Child” is present in the city of Kavala (Northern Greece) with ODYSSEAS, the 1st Mobile Lab of Information, Education & Technology. There, psychologists and social workers are carrying out informative sessions on the safe Internet use to students, parents and teachers and the general public.

The action of ODYSSEAS is carried out nationwide under the aegis and the cooperation of the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs.

It is worthwhile to mention that “The Smile of the Child”, recognizing the crucial role of the school community to the area of prevention carries out organized interactive and experiential actions targeted to students, teachers, parents and guardians. The interventions are carried out by a specialized team of Psychologists of the Organization in kindergartens, elementary, middle and high schools nationwide.

The action is carried out from “The Smile of the Child” in the framework of a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Hellenic Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs established since 2009 and in cooperation with the School Counselors, the actors in charge of public Health Education, the Prefectures and the Municipalities.

Audiovisual and photo material from the event can be found here.

For more information, please contact our press team to press@hamogelo.gr or to +30 210 3306 140.