The results of the RIS surveys (www.ris.org), conducted in 2005 and 2006, show that more than 90% of children in the age group 10-15 use mobile phones. Typical Slovenian teenagers make some 5-10 calls per day and usually keep the device on them.. They use the silent mode and SMS messages.

Apparently, one third of Slovenian users of all ages also find it fun to use the mobile phone. In addition, roughly one tenth of mobile phone users somehow cares about the appearance of their mobile phones and may thus develop a special relationship to their device. The majority of respondents agree that they “feel lost and isolated” without a mobile phone. Until recently, mobile phones in Slovenia were largely used to make voice calls or send text messages.

However, the usage of all sorts of products and services, such as picture messaging, video clips, games and internet access is growing very rapidly among young people in Slovenia. The danger of being harassed or groomed, or accessing harmful content is thus increasing.

There is a relatively high degree of agreement about the necessity to limit access to harmful content for children, although concern in Slovenia about mobile phones is lower than about the internet. Slovenian Awareness Node SAFE-SI thus actively promotes appropriate and responsible use of mobile phones through by empowering parents and children with useful information and tips.

Tanja Šterk, SAFE-SI Awareness Node