On the occasion of the Safer Internet Day 2021, Telefono Azzurro organized a series of events to bring together Institutions, companies, experts, schools and civil society. The debate focused on the issue of the reliability of the Internet and the future of the digital environment for the younger generations. Children also participated in the event, in a hackathon aimed at strengthening their knowledge of the digital world and hearing their voices.

The panels focused on a significant number of topics. The panel “The international framework: new perspectives for a reliable Internet” analysed the issue of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), with the participation of INHOPE, WePROTECT Global Alliance, ECPAT International, the International Telecommunication Union, the End Violence Partnership, the Technology Coalition, and Tik Tok.

Another important topic of discussion was the need to establish efficient age verification systems, capable of protecting children while respecting their privacy. Despite the age limits introduced in the EU with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), children start using social networks at an early age. A survey carried out on a sample of about 8,000 secondary school students showed that 84% of children between 10 and 14 years old have a profile on a social network.

Finally, Telefono Azzurro presented the Digital Hub, an initiative to strengthen cooperation between Institutions, companies and academia, to find concrete answers to the challenges that the digital world poses for children and teenagers. The entire event can be seen here.