Child online safety: what educators need to know

• February 14, 2025
• admin

The European Schoolnet Academy presents the MOOC Child online safety: what educators need to know—a comprehensive training program designed to empower educators with the latest insights and strategies to protect young people in today’s digital world.

Overview

This training offer focuses on equipping educators with a deep understanding of both the opportunities and the risks associated with digital technology. As digital tools become integral to everyday life, the course addresses pressing issues such as cyberbullying, mental health and well-being, persuasive and addictive design, and consumer protection—particularly in online gaming environments. Developed as part of the European Commission’s Better Internet for Kids initiative and funded by the Digital Europe Programme, the MOOC is an essential resource for promoting a safer, more responsible online experience for children and young people.

Target audience

The course is specifically designed for primary and secondary school teachers, especially those new to the profession or with limited prior exposure to digital safety topics. It also benefits school administrators, support staff, education professionals in non-formal settings, and policymakers seeking to integrate digital safety into their practices.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Understand the significance of fostering a safe and better internet for young people in line with the European strategy.
• Identify the key risks and challenges that children face online, including cyberbullying and issues impacting mental health.
• Explore effective strategies and best practices to mitigate online risks and promote ethical digital behavior.
• Access a range of resources to support the integration of online safety education within school curricula.
• Gain insight into the BIK+ strategy and the collaborative role of the Insafe network in ensuring a safer internet environment.

Course structure

The MOOC is delivered over four engaging modules:

• Module 1: Mental health and well-being (opening on 03/02/2025)
• Module 2: Cyberbullying (opening on 10/02/2025)
• Module 3: Persuasive and addictive design (opening on 17/02/2025)
• Module 4: Consumer protection (opening on 24/02/2025)

Participants can follow the course at their own pace, with new content released weekly and only a few deadlines for quizzes and peer-review activities. The estimated effort is 3 hours per week, approximately 12 hours of learning.

Certification and recognition

Successful participants will receive a certificate upon completion, which is assessed through quizzes (5% of the final grade) and a comprehensive learning scenario with peer reviews (95% of the final grade). In certain regions—such as Portugal, Emilia-Romagna, and Ireland—additional recognition or accreditation may be available for continuous professional development.