Heimili and skoli, the National Parent Association in Iceland, has been the National Awareness Node for Internet Safety in Iceland since 2004. The name created for the awareness raising efforts is Samfélag, fjölskylda og tækni (Community, Family and Technology), with the acronym SAFT. As awareness centre under the EU Safer Internet Programme, Heimili og skoli aims are to raise awareness on the safe and positive use of the Internet and new media among children, parents, teachers, policy makers, and the ICT industry in Iceland.

Our mission statement is to empower children and parents to enjoy the Internet and other new media in a safe and positive way.

The Awareness Centre has positioned itself as the key resource and knowledge centre for children’s use of the internet and mobile in Iceland. A strong network of national stakeholders supports the awareness centre project and ensures the dissemination of surveys, educational materials, information and advice.

The centre initiates, coordinates and participates in a broad range of activities and initiatives with the aim to raise awareness in its area.  Among others:

The project’s websites

Our main portal/website, www.saft.is is targeted at children, parents, teachers and the general public. All our material and information is up to date and we frequently add new material and news, and thus maintain a lively and attractive website. In addition to our main portal we run an online Helpline (netsvar.is), updated as needed. SAFT is also on Facebook and the Youth Panel is on Facebook, MySpace and MSN.

National campaigns

From the start of the current project term three national campaigns have been designed concerning safer internet. In connection to the November 8th, 2008, conference on children’s online behaviour and the responsibility of parents we organized a media campaign focusing on the topic, including newspaper and TV ads with number of Radio, Newspaper and TV interviews on the subject. In connection to the February 10th, 2009, SAFT celebration of the Safer Internet Day 2009 a media campaign, promoting the conference and message of the conference, online bullying, was developed, including newspaper and TV ads with number of Radio, Newspaper and TV interviews on the subject. On SID09 and for the following weeks SAFT developed a TV campaign, including all three TV stations in Iceland, promoting the SID spot developed for SID 2009. In collaboration with Iceland Telecom SAFT developed an all media campaign on the responsibility of parents concerning the online use of their children, aired from mid January until April 2009. The TV advertises can be found on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcCCykLNfjk.  

Reaching the target groups

In order to reach and learn from the specific target groups the Awareness Centre is making presentations at conferences and schools on a continuous basis. I.e. the Centre is holding presentations and debates for parents about children and youth culture and life online and discussed safe use of the internet and new technologies with children and young people at schools and institutions.

Youth Panel

The Awareness Centre Youth Panel consists of children and young people aged 11-16 years old.  With the panel youth are offered the right, the means, the space and the opportunity to participate and influence decisions about their online and real life. Visit the panel’s Facebook and Myspace: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=1833238319&ref=ts /  http://www.myspace.com/424667918  

Educational materials

From the beginning of the current project we have been working on 3 new books on safer internet and new media for the youngest learners (5-8 years old), expected to be distributed early 2010. Number of small modules has also been developed for the national children’s TV show “Stundin okkar” broadcasted on RUV (www.ruv.is) and the international TV show Lazytown (www.lazytown.com). The modules have already been implemented in the national children radio “Latibaer”, who broadcasts 24/7, in form of small messages advocating safe and positive use of the internet.

Newsletter

The Heimili og skoli newsletter is distributed monthly in connection with all activities of the organization. It gives for example an overview of events and activities, trends and surveys focusing on children and young people’s use of the internet and new technologies – nationally as well as internationally.

New knowledge

Gathering information and initiating new knowledge is important for the Centre. In collaboration with Capacent Gallup, SAFT conducted the SAFT survey in the first quarter of 2009. Gallup is a formal partner in the project and will, in collaboration with Heimili og skoli, direct and conduct national surveys on internet and mobile use and related issue as well as distributing results (media campaigns etc). Gallup has also conducted the SAFT 2003 and 2007 surveys. The SAFT survey is the most extensive survey on internet use that has been done in Iceland to date.

The coordinator of the Icelandic Awareness Centre

Heimili og skóli, he National Parent Association in Iceland, acts as coordinator of the Icelandic Awareness Centre. The program is directed by Gudberg K. Jonsson, with active participation of other members of the organization. Our Project Management Committee includes representatives from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science in Iceland, the University of Iceland, and the Teachers´ Union. Our Steering Committee includes representatives from different stakeholders groups, such as government agencies, the industry, research centres, different bodies within the educational system and prevention measures agencies and groups.

Report illegal online content to the national Hotline:  http://abending.logreglan.is/content/view/43/53/

Contact the national helpline: http://www.netsvar.is