The use of digital devices and the online world have become an integral part of our everyday lives, and children are no exception. The more time young people spend online, the more likely they are to be exposed to harmful content, and many of them are not prepared to deal with such situations properly.
According to a recent survey by UK not-for-profit organisation Internet Matters[1], children aged 9-15 who spend most of their time online are exposed to far more unwanted content on social media than their peers who are less active in the digital world. 68% of those who regularly use the internet or post on social media platforms have experienced violent content, strangers pretending to be someone they know, manipulated images, abuse or upsetting messages, and 37% say they have been deeply affected by the experience.
Children are nowhere safe from online threats, as the nationwide survey conducted this year[2] by Yettel’s digital education programme ProSuli found similar results. In Hungary, young people are exposed to inappropriate content early, already between the ages of 7 and 10, and 71% of them have come across fake news, adult content, bullying or phishing messages, or adults pretending to be around the same age as children in the online space.
Awareness can be improved
As part of its ProSuli program, Yettel makes strong effort to increase children’s online safety and digital awareness. The ProSuli TudatosNet video series includes 22 easy-to-understand episodes exploring topical issues affecting young people, including cyberbullying, safe internet use, recognising fake news and online scams, and using chat apps in a smart way. The short animated videos are a useful tool for children, parents and teachers alike to help them support each other and avoid or manage risks in the online space.
About ProSuli: Yettel’s digital education program provides accredited training and ongoing professional support for teachers to help them develop digital teaching skills and deliver age-appropriate lessons that are more enjoyable for young people and more effective for teachers. Schools can also join ProSuli. This year, 25 new participants joined bringing the total number of schools involved in the program across the country to nearly 160. The project aims to build a community of teachers active in digital education and to help schools go digital with superfast mobile internet access. In September 2023, ProSuli will move to the next level. From the start of the school year, a national network of Digital Ambassadors will be set up with five teachers providing on-site professional assistance and methodology support to their colleagues in schools across the country.
Unlimited and safe internet use
Yettel is trying to help not only with safe internet use, but also with the digital tools and the reliable mobile internet network needed for education. For the start of the school year, it is offering smartphones and tablets that are ideal for digital learning, and in addition to the smart devices available, it is also provides unlimited internet access for 7 days once a month between August and November to those who watch the latest episode of the TudatosNet video series. Those activating the code found in the videos will get an extra data allowance valid in Hungary for 7 days. For more details please visit: https://www.yettel.hu/Tudatosnet
[1] An in-depth survey of 1,000 children and their parents conducted in summer 2022 by a UK organisation focused on children’s online safety.
[2] The survey was conducted in January 2023 on a sample of 294 parents. The sample is representative of Hungary’s population with children aged 7-18.