Finnish Internet Awareness (FiA) project initiates moderator training The first pilot training programme for content providers and moderators of social networking sites targeted at children and youth was organised in Finland in February, and the experiences drawn from it were encouraging.

The training of the moderators aims to further the safety of children and youth in relation to the digital media. It aims to increase the awareness and understanding of children’s rights and safety within this area, and improve their ability to help children in various situations on the net. An important factor is to increase the availability and visibility of responsible adults on the net.

In the piloting phase the content was targeted mainly at the moderators and other actors in the biggest social networking services, for example Sulake Suomi (Habbo Hotel), Eniro (Suomi24), and Sulake Dynamoid (Irc-Galleria). There were also participants from some smaller services, youth workers, Helpline officers from MLL, students and volunteers who have been active on “Manteli” chats.

The programme is coordinated by the Save the Children Finland and is implemented in co-operation with a larger network of content providers; NGOs acting in child and youth welfare and organisations within the field of education.
 
The following issues are covered in the training programme:

• Media and the development of children
• The behaviour of children on the net, trends and developments
• Legal issues related to the internet, safety and children’s rights
• Interaction and communication on the net
• Specific problems that might be faced on the net and how to intervene

The programme also includes participating in chat campaigns to gain practical experience and understanding. The campaigns are organised in the online services popular among young people, so they will take place right where the children are. In addition to providing valuable understanding of online behaviour for the adults, the chats also increase the visibility, presence and availability of reliable adults (signed with a tag “M” for Manteli) in the online social environment and improve the experience and actual safety online. The presence of reliable adults is also appreciated and welcomed by the young.