Ucom announces launch of Safe Internet 2018 program

On February 6, International Safer Internet Day, Safer Internet 2018 kicked off in Armenia to raise awareness of safe and effective use of web resources and digital technologies through open lessons in secondary schools.

The project has a mission to promote effective and safe use of the Internet and to create educational content.

The slogan of this year's program is “Create, Connect and Share Respect: A Better Internet Starts with You.”

The program is being implemented by STEM Center and Internet Society under the sponsorship of Ucom and several other companies.

“Being the fastest internet provider in Armenia, Ucom has this year again stressed the importance of using the Internet for self-education and self-development purposes.

The lessons learned on the Internet may serve as a good basis for creating innovative solutions that will be highly important and widely applicable in the future,” said Hayk Yesayan, Director General of Ucom.

From February 6 until March 10, open lessons in Internet Safety will be held for the schoolchildren and college students in Yerevan and all the regions of Armenia, from February 6 to May 1 - parents’ meetings on the same topic, and about 100 schools in Yerevan and regions will be enrolled in the pan-European eSafety Label program.

The two republican contests to be held within the frames of the program will allow to widely spread Internet safety key messages among children and parents and will provide each school with an opportunity to demonstrate all topic-related educational initiatives.

Seminars, as well as workshops, videos, games, books, media events and other practical activities intended for schoolchildren, their parents and teachers will also help to raise awareness on safe and responsible use of the Internet. This year the “Safe Internet” program will expand its borders for the teachers of natural sciences and mathematics.

As noted by Haykaz Baghyan, the Director at STEM Center, it is important for children to shape right Internet navigation capabilities from an early age, for example, to learn value personal information, apply security and privacy settings on their favorite games, apps or tools.

“Many children start using the Internet from the age of six or earlier. Children under 12 mainly don’t have proper critical skills for navigating the Internet, online gaming and learning, therefore, parents need to be involved in their online activities. At a later age, it would be desirable to guide children towards such computer applications that help to solve interdisciplinary problems and develop creative skills.”

The Safe Internet program is dedicated to the International Day of Safe
Internet, having been celebrated since 2004 on the second day of the second week of each year.
By expanding its borders from year to year, the pan-European INSAFE initiative brings people
together to fight against illegal, harmful and inappropriate content.