Safer Internet Armenia 

Safe.am aims to improve citizens’ safety in relation to digital media by raising awareness of safe Internet use, digital rights, and online risks. Our work promotes the protection and education of children and teenagers using the Internet and new online technologies. Through awareness-raising campaigns and digital literacy initiatives, Safe.am highlights both the benefits and potential hazards of ICT use.

Our activities target children and adults, parents, teachers, Internet service providers, content providers, law enforcement authorities, and public officials. The Safe.am web platform provides access to the national Hotline. The English version of the website is a condensed version of the Armenian site and includes news, brief descriptions of online activities, related risks and hazards, and a glossary. Armenia has been part of the pan-European Safer Internet initiative since 2009.

Since 2009, activities have been coordinated by the Media Education Center with the support of Microsoft Corporation, ISOC Armenia, and World Vision. In 2010, the Armenian Safer Internet Day Committee was established. Today, activities are implemented by the Safe.am Team and coordinated by the STEM Society, with the Safer Internet Committee serving in a consultative role. Our work focuses on empowering citizens to use the Internet and mobile technologies safely and creatively, with a particular emphasis on educating children, parents, young people, and teachers to recognize and avoid online risks.

Safe.am Team has:

• Developed online resources linking to educational materials on e-safety and social networking,

• Produced Internet Safety Guides for teachers, parents, and children,

• Disseminated educational materials on the safe use of Internet and mobile technologies among school communities,

• Organized competitions encouraging children to create their own digital content,

• Conducted information and awareness campaigns,

• Fully supported pan-European Safer Internet communication annual campaigns since 2009 and actively promoted key messages to teenagers.

In addition, Safe.am Team:

• Conducted surveys and opinion polls,

• Analyzed more than 10,000 websites and created an Internet Safety Zone for parents and schools, featuring over 3,000 safe educational web resources free from offensive and commercial content,

• Co-produced a regular 45-minute radio program, “Corner of Harry Potter”, with Public Radio of Armenia to address Internet-related issues for parents, teachers, and teenagers,

• Organized workshops for teachers, children, and parents.

Since February 2009, we have organized high-level round tables, conferences, and media events attended by representatives of government institutions, NGOs, media organisations, and the ICT industry. Participants have included representatives from ministries, international organizations, universities, municipalities, and school principals from Yerevan and the regions.