Module-based internet safety training in Finland The Finnish Safer Internet programme participants, Save the Children Finland, Mannerheim League and Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA), have trained Finnish specialists about internet safety issues for many years. During the previous Safer Internet project (FiA 2007-2008) Save the Children developed and piloted the moderator training model for content providers and moderators of web sites targeted at children and youth. The model will be further developed and implemented in co-operation with a network consisting of web service providers as well as NGO’s acting in the child and youth welfare and organisations and experts within the related fields.

The overall aim of the module-based training is to further the safety of children and youth with respects to the digital media, including mobile devices, through educating and enhancing adults’ awareness, abilities, understanding and attitudes.

This training will be offered to the moderators and other actors of the three most relevant service providers, Sulake Suomi (Habbo Hotel), Eniro (Suomi24), and Sulake Dynamoid (Irc-Galleria) as well as the key agents already involved in the safer internet actions of the FIAS partners. The participation of online youth workers, Helpline workers, social studies students as well as voluntary support personnel is also considered important.

The programme will constructed from modules that can be easily combined to provide education and awareness raising material tailored to different target groups and in a variety of contexts.

Various kinds of events with the most targeted content will be arranged during the project. The major seminars will be organised in Helsinki and smaller scale sessions will be provided regionally across the country. In addition, possibilities of organising a session in Russia will be explored.

The module-based training method will also invite youth panels and online youth communities in the development of the seminars and educational materials.

An open source learning and sharing communication platform will be developed to become an integral part of this programme. It will be developed to become a tool for sharing information and materials, interact with others involved as well as a source for downloading learning materials. This platform will improve the nationwide distribution and availability of the programme.

In order to enable practical experience, insight and understanding the training model also covers participating in various online activities. The campaigns are delivered in the online services that are already popular among the young so they will take place right where the children are.

The campaigns increase the visibility, presence and availability of reliable adults in the online social surroundings and improve the experienced and actual safety in the online services. The presence of reliable adults is appreciated and welcomed by the young.

Finnish Internet Safety and Awareness (FIAS)
Save the Children Finland, Mari Laiho
Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, Juuso Peura
FICORA, Anna Lauttamus-Kauppila