Students and parents discover the digital world together... safely!

Across Georgia, where the number of youth using the Internet is increasing daily, the message “Discover the digital world together... safely!” was spread on flyers and through workshops targeting young people on Safer Internet Day. Campaigns supported by World Vision were held in Imereti, Samtskhe Javakheti and Kakheti regions, where World Vision runs Area Development Programmes and assists children and their families through sponsorship. Safer Internet Day is organised by INSAFE (www.saferinternet.org) in February to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world. World Vision Georgia participated in the campaign for the second consecutive year by distributing informational flyers and banners to youth clubs, organising different awareness-raising campaigns and workshops for children. World Vision’s activities for Safer Internet day were supported by local municipalities and covered by TV and print media across Georgia. “This informational campaign is very important; I think all of us must be enrolled in spreading information about Safer Internet,” said Tamuna, a student from Kitsiskevi School. World Vision Georgia launched the “Keeping Children Safe Online’ project several months ago with staff from the Imereti Area Development Programme organising information campaigns for youth, teachers and parents about safe use of the Internet. The three-year programme gives children and adults tips on how to ensure children enjoy the benefits of the Internet while minimising the threats of online abuse. Community youth club members who had been trained as peer educators by World Vision joined school children and parents in a Safer Internet Day meeting in Imereti where they soaked up the practical tips about getting the most out of the Internet, safely. “I see that the interest is very high. Youth club members who have not received training yet are expressing their willingness to receive more information about safe usage of the Internet,” said David Chkhobadze, Imereti ADP manager. In Samtskhe- Javakheti, school directors and youth club members attended the launch of the “Keeping Children Safe Online” project. The school directors commented that safe internet use is a timely topic as the number of youth accessing the Internet is increasing every day. In Kakheti ADP school club members performed a play for the local community members with more than 900 youth directly involved in the campaign. Keeping Children Safe Online is one way that World Vision is helping families to ensure children are cared for, protected and participating in their communities.