Pan-European “Better Internet” Forum Engages Youth Participants

A member of the International Youth Council for Safer Internet, Vardges Atoyan, a student at Berd High School in Tavush Region, and Anna Abelyan, principal of School No. 107, which was recognized as the Best “Safer Internet Armenia 2024” School, participated in the pan-European “Better Internet for Children” conference held in Brussels. The forum’s main message was: “Where is the harm? How can we protect children and young people from inappropriate content and cyberbullying?”

Young people’s experiences and perspectives are crucial in addressing these challenges. During the forum, participants proposed strategies to promote the mental health and well-being of children and young people and to combat cyberbullying.

Key discussion topics included:

• Violent and aggressive content online: does it promote extremism?
• Cyberbullying and reluctance to report it: why speaking up is important
• Inappropriate content, including AI-generated content, and its impact on young people
• Inappropriate and harmful behavior of young people online
• Preventing self-harm
• The impact of hate speech on young people
• Excessive screen time and persuasive design: who is behind it?

On-site youth discussion topics included:

• Cyberbullying and hate
• Inappropriate content online
• Disinformation
• Internet addiction

 

 

Safer Internet Day Is Celebrated on February 6

This year, Safer Internet Day will be observed on Tuesday, February 6, under the theme “Together for a Better Internet.” The Internet is a valuable space for children to learn new things and enjoy entertainment; however, it is important to use it responsibly and safely.

On our website, you can find age-appropriate tips and educational materials to help make the use of the Internet and other information technologies safer for children. Resources on safe Internet use, digital and information literacy, cyberbullying, and related topics are also available. You can download the Safer Internet Day logo and posters here.

 

Discover the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Education: EUNAcademy Course

Center for Education Development and Innovation (NCEDI) Foundation are organizing a program that enables teachers to participate in the online course “Exploring the Potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education,” offered on the European Schoolnet Academy platform.

The aim of the course is to provide teachers with a foundational understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence. Through its four modules, participants will explore AI-related resources, tools, and technologies that can be applied in teaching. Read more...

 

 

 

Invitation to Participate in the Pan-European STEM Discovery Campaign 2023

Join the pan-European science, technology, engineering, and mathematics campaign, STEM Discovery Campaign 2023. Within the framework of the Safer Internet Armenia program, the STEM Society and the NCEDI Foundation are organizing teacher training sessions to support effective participation in the campaign.

This year, all participants of the European Schoolnet Academy’s “Open Schooling,” “Nature-Based Solutions,” and other courses are eligible to take part in the STEM Discovery Campaign 2023 competition. Applications are open until April 30, 2023. Detailed terms and conditions are available on our website.

The STEM Discovery Campaign 2023 is a joint international initiative organized within the framework of the Scientix program, bringing together stakeholders worldwide to promote STEM education and careers.

This year’s campaign theme is “Identities in STEM.” Developing a STEM identity increases the likelihood that learners will build scientific literacy, and some may go on to pursue STEM career pathways. We invite everyone to participate in the STEM Discovery Campaign 2023 by organizing STEM-related activities and taking part in competitions.

For more information about the STEM Discovery Campaign 2023 and instructions on how to submit your project, please watch our video and read more...

 

 

Program for Teachers’ Participation in the European Schoolnet Academy Course

Within the framework of the Safer Internet Armenia program, STEM Society, in cooperation with the National Center for Education Development and Innovation (NCEDI) Foundation of the RA Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, is organizing a program that enables teachers to participate in an online course offered through the European Schoolnet Academy platform.We are becoming increasingly aware of environmental issues and their impact on our societies and everyday lives. Teachers strive to foster informed and active learners who act and create in harmony with nature rather than separately from it. However, education on nature-based solutions (NBS) remains largely underexplored, as innovative programs and resources related to NBS are still lacking in both formal and non-formal educational settings for children and families. Read more..

 

 

 

 

We celebrate Safer Internet Day on February 7

On Tuesday, 7 February 2023, we will celebrate the 20th edition of Safer Internet Day with activities taking place around the world. This year's theme,  "Together for a better internet", calls on all stakeholders to work together to make the internet a safer and better place for everyone—especially children and young people. Read on to discover practical ways you can get involved in the celebrations. Whether you are a young person, a parent or carer, a teacher or educator, a policymaker, or represent an organisation or industry, everyone has a role to play in creating and maintaining a safer and more positive online world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALL DIGITAL WEEK Celebrated in Armenian Schools

ALL DIGITAL Week was held in Armenia for the first time and was celebrated through workshops, training sessions, and master classes led by experienced experts. The events were organized by STEM Society in partnership with the Safer Internet Armenia Programme.STEM Society collaborated with schools hosting activities in Yerevan, as well as in regional cities and towns including Alaverdi, Ashtarak, Charentsavan, Vanadzor, and Fantan.The activities aimed to equip young people with a broad range of digital skills, helping them build resilience and awareness in digital environments. Participants learned how to protect their safety and privacy online and how to use, create, and share online content responsibly.Read more..., watch on our channel...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Youth Council for Digital Good Concluded its Work

The Youth Council for Digital Good completed a series of public consultations held in more than a dozen countries to explore ways of making the Internet a safer, healthier, and more positive environment.The “Have Your Say” posters highlighted Internet-related issues that must be addressed in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals 2020. Key challenges identified included cyberbullying, hate speech, privacy and personal data protection, misinformation, and fake news.Participating countries included Armenia, Cyprus, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Morocco, Senegal, Slovakia, and the United States.The survey was conducted by Insight (Luxembourg), ConnectSafely (USA), and STEM Society (Armenia).

 

 

 

 

Eastern Partnership and Visegrad Countries Countering Disinformation

How can we address the problem of disinformation, particularly fake news? How does propaganda work, and why are people susceptible to it? What risks do artificial intelligence–based technologies pose in disinformation warfare? Which competencies should media literacy education develop to empower individuals and strengthen societal resilience in the information age?These and other questions were discussed by Narine Khachatryan (Media Education Center, Armenia) during the panel discussion “Fake News and the General Public: How to Stand Up to Disinformation?” held on 13 February 2019 at the Eastern Partnership and Visegrad Countries Countering Disinformation Forum in Tbilisi.The forum was organized by the Civil Development and Research Institute (CDRI) and the Europe-Georgia Institute (EGI).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Safer Internet Week at Yerevan School after Hayrapetyan N 78

Yerevan-based School No. 78, named after Hayrapet Hayrapetyan, organized Safer Internet Week, during which 9th-grade students conducted lessons for younger pupils and collaborated on developing strategies for the safe use of digital tools.The tests available on the safe.am website enabled students to quickly assess their knowledge of the golden rules of safe Internet use.Next year’s Safer Internet Day (SID) celebrations will take place on Tuesday, 5 February 2019. The campaign slogan, “Together for a Better Internet,” serves as a call to action for everyone to join forces and contribute to creating a safer and better online environment, especially for young people.

 

 

 

 

 

Create, Connect and Share Respect: A Better Internet Starts with You

On February 6, Safer Internet Day (SID), the six-month Safer Internet programme was launched in Armenia. The programme aims to raise public awareness about the safe and effective use of the Internet and digital technologies while encouraging the creation of positive educational content online. It also promotes digital education for both children and adults who use the Internet and online technologies.This year’s Safer Internet Day theme is “Create, Connect and Share Respect: A Better Internet Starts with You.” Safer Internet 2018 is being implemented by the STEM Society and the Internet Society, with support from the technical community. Read more...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Web We Want Handbook for Educators Published in Armenian

In today’s digital age, being a great teacher also means being a skilled digital guide. The Armenian edition of The Web We Want: Handbook for Educators has now been released.The Web We Want offers a wealth of ideas and lesson plans designed to help young people develop the creative and critical-thinking skills essential for a fulfilling life in the world of tomorrow. Created by teachers for teachers across Europe, the handbook is a collaborative effort between INSAFE and European Schoolnet.The Armenian edition of The Web We Want was prepared within the framework of the Safer Internet Armenia program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be the Change: Unite for a Better Internet

Twenty-three Informatics teachers have been recognized for their outstanding efforts in teaching young people internet literacy and promoting online safety messages in their schools and communities.This year, Safer Internet Day was celebrated in more than 100 countries across all continents under the slogan “Be the Change: Unite for a Better Internet.” Armenian citizens also joined global efforts to make the internet a safer and better place for all.With the support of UCOM, the Media Education Center and the Internet Society of Armenia launched the six-month Safer Internet Armenia program. Open lessons on internet safety and meetings with parents reached more than 10,000 children and parents in 200 secondary and high schools in Yerevan and the regions of Armenia.Within the framework of the STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ Global Online Safety Campaign, Chatting with Kids about Being Online was translated into Armenian and published. In addition, two handbooks by European Schoolnet —The Web We Want: Young and Online– Activities by Young People for Young People andThe Web We Want: Teachers Online: Handbook for Educators— were translated into Armenian. Watch the video.

 

 

 

 

 

Raising a New Generation of Digital Citizens in Armenia

The launch of the Armenian version of The Web We Want Book for Young, published by European Schoolnet (EUN), marked the ninth edition of the Safer Internet Armenia program.The initiative, launched annually on Safer Internet Day (SID), brings together public organizations, private-sector partners, and educational institutions to raise awareness and educate the public about internet risks, privacy, and security issues.Within the framework of the  Safer Internet Armenia programme, schools in Yerevan and across the regions of Armenia host open lessons and parent meetings each year. These events address key issues related to the safer use of the internet and digital technologies and serve as platforms for distributing educational materials. Participants receive practical guidance on how to use the internet safely and effectively for educational purposes.In addition, Armenian-language resources are developed, published, and distributed for different age groups. Read more on our web site...

 

 

 

Armenian Edition of Web We Want Handbook for Young

Within the framework of the Safer Internet Armenia program, the Media Education Center launched the Armenian edition ofThe Web We Want Handbook for Young People, developed by European Schoolnet and INSAFE.For many young people in the early 21st century, their online identities, social interactions, and activities are just as important as their lives in the physical world. Teachers therefore need to recognize this reality and help young people make the most of the opportunities that online technologies and social media offer for developing key competencies and, crucially, becoming reflective and responsible citizens.Created by young people for young people, The Web We Want handbook aims to explore online rights and responsibilities and encourage reflection on personal and peer behavior online.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chatting with Kids about Being Online in Armenian

STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ is a global online safety awareness campaign aimed at helping all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online.The STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Chatting with Kids about Being Online booklet was published in Armenian within the framework of the Safer Internet Armenia program. The booklet is part of the global STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ public awareness campaign, which aims to increase understanding of cyber threats and empower people to use the Internet more safely and securely.The booklet provides practical tips from the U.S. government and the technology community to help users protect themselves from Internet fraud, secure their computers, and safeguard their privacy.STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ campaign materials in Armenian can be found here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global Online Safety Awareness Messages in Armenian

STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ is a global online safety awareness campaign aimed at helping all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online.STOP: make sure security measures are in place.
THINK: consider the consequences of your online actions.
CONNECT: enjoy the Internet safely.The STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ message was created by an unprecedented coalition of private companies, non-profit organizations, and government agencies, led by theNational Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the  APWG.The campaign was launched in October 2010 at the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Messaging Convention in partnership with the U.S. government, including the White House.Campaign materials in Armenian can be found here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media Literacy Class at Yerevan School after John Kirakosyan

October 17, 2016 — Who creates media messages, and what techniques are used to attract our attention? How can different audiences interpret the same message in different ways? What values are embedded in media messages?These and other key questions were discussed during a Media Literacy Class led by Dr. Rosemarie Conforti. The class was organized by the Media Education Center on October 17, 2016, at the Yerevan school named after John Kirakosian.Dr. Conforti is an associate professor in the Media Studies Department at Southern Connecticut State University. Her teaching focuses on media literacy education and media criticism. She has also developed educational resources that help young women and girls better understand how the media portray femininity, objectification, and the sexualization of women.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Safer Internet Armenia Program Launched

On Safer Internet Day, the Safer Internet Armenia program was launched to promote the safe and effective use of the Internet and other ICTs.The program has been implemented in Armenia since 2009 and has received broad support since 2012, when Orange Armenia joined the initiative to raise awareness of Internet risks, privacy, and security issues through school training programs and public information campaigns.Read reports about Safer Internet Armenia on Panorama and Noyan Tapan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winners of Best Open Lesson, Best Teacher-Parents Meeting Known

Winners of the Best Open Lesson and the Best Teacher-Parents Meeting have been announced:Marieta Davtyan – Yerevan Secondary School after Misak Metsarents,
Lusine Balayan - High School N 198 of Armenia's Ministry of Education and Science (Yerevan),
Naira Avetisyan - Yerevan Secondary School N 20 after John Kirakosian,
Meline Hakobyan - Yerevan Secondary School N 33 after Michael Nalbandyan,
Marine Harutyunyan - Yerevan Secondary School N 154,
Maria Lisitsina - Ohanian Educational Complex of Yerevan,
Ruzan Simonyan – Vagharshapat Secondary School N 3 after H. Hovhannisyan of the Armavir region,
Anush Ghevondyan - Vanadzor School N 18 of the Lori region,
Anush Torosyan - Vanadzor Secondary School N 19 after Raffee of the Lori region,
Hasmik Movsisyan - Artashat Secondary School N 22 after Hovhannes Tumanyan of the Ararat region.

 

 

 

 

Safer Internet Armenia: Open Lessons, Parent-Teacher Meetings

Open Lessons and Parent-Teacher Meetings have been held in Armenian schools. Safer Internet Armenia 2015 is being implemented by the Media Education Center, the Internet Society of Armenia, and Orange, in cooperation with the Yerevan Municipality and the National Center of Educational Technologies of the Ministry of Education and Science of Armenia. More than 50 new Internet literacy lesson plans and Parent-Teacher Meeting plans have been uploaded to our website. Visitors can also view photos and videos from the Open Lessons, as well as Power Point Presentations. Our Video Gallery has been expanded with new works created by teachers and pupils. In addition, more than 120 Armenian schools joined the European eSafetylabel.eu community during our workshops.

Read more..