Facebook launches Get Digital in Greece

Facebook launches Get Digital in Greece, a project that helps parents,

educators and young people develop the skills needed to navigate the digital world more safely

Digital tools, resources, and a series of free webinars powered by The Smile of the Child to develop the required skills aimed at educating responsible digital citizens

Pictures available to download here

Athens, April 15th - During a period that our digital presence is growing rapidly, and everyone is living more and more on the internet, it is necessary to be aware of how to use the tools of the digital world properly and safely. This is the reason why Facebook decided to launch the Get Digital program in Greece now under the auspices of the Ministry of Digital Governance. This is an international project, designed to provide information, tips and specialized resources to help parents, guardians, educators and young people develop the skills needed for their safe web navigation and become conscious and responsible digital citizens. Get Digital Live Digital Launch Event dedicated to Press, shared interesting messaging for the project’s identity in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Mrs. Zetta Makri. Moderator was the popular journalist and much-loved member of the parental community, Despina Kampouri.

Get Digital is organized around five pillars - Digital Foundations, Wellness, Engagement, Empowerment and Opportunities - designed specifically for parents/guardians, educators and young people (easily accessible PDF based courses). These are the principles that help build the skills and competencies that young people need today to have safe online experiences. Facebook has partnered with a variety of prominent organizations like the Harvard Berkman Klein Center for Youth and Media, the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and many more to ensure that the materials are expert and research-informed and meet the needs of young people today.

For the Greek launch, Facebook decided to collaborate with the Organization “The Smile of the Child”, a pioneering organization in defending the children's rights. “The Smile of the Child” was founded by the late 10-year-old Andreas Yannopoulos, who captured his vision in his personal diary. His wish was to found an organization so that all the children could enjoy a SMILE as they rightfully deserve!

“For the past year, the lives of many young people have moved online. Having an open dialogue with them, to talk about opportunities and risks of the Internet, is a priority to us and is the reason for the launch of the Get Digital safety project" - says Angelo Mazzetti, Head of Public Policy of Facebook in Italy & Greece. "We are very happy with the collaboration with “The Smile of the Child” and we hope that this project will help as many kids as possible providing them with the awareness and the tools needed to navigate safely the digital world."

The President of the Organization "The Smile of the Child", Mr. Costas Yannopoulos stated; "We are very happy and proud to work with Facebook in such an important program as Get Digital, which supplies all members of the educational community - young people, parents / guardians and educators - with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate safely in the digital world. For "The Smile of the Child" technology safety and digital literacy issues are a key priority, as well as the development of collaborations and new initiatives play a crucial role. The almost universal use of the Internet due to the prevailing conditions, multiplies the risks for children and young people, making the launch of the educational program locally more valuable and necessary than ever. Through our “Smile Academy Education & Training Academy” we will promote the Get Digital message accross the country. We would like to thank Facebook for recognizing us as a strategic partner and choosing us to implement the international Get Digital program in Greece. In this way, it enables us, working together with dedication and efficiency, to contribute to the development of the required skills with the aim of educating digitally responsible citizens".

Thanks to the partnership with “The Smile of the Child”, Get Digital will also offer opportunities for webinars with experts who, during a series of 5 free online seminars, will share tips and answer questions posed by e-attendees. The webinars will start on April 16th and will last for five weeks every Friday from 12 to 13 p.m. Greek teim (except the Holy Friday) live on the Smile of the Child Facebook page. For those not able to watch them live, all recordings will be available on the Facebook Page of “The Smile of the Child”.

These Online Meetings are a great opportunity to explore some of the most critical issues that parents/guardians and educators face daily in interaction with young people, such as cyberbullying, video game addiction, hate speech, racism, and even more extreme challenges.

The topics are as as follows;

• Webinar 1 (16/4) - “Am I safe online?”
• Webinar 2 (23/4) - “Etiquette. Does that exist online?”
• Webinar 3 (07/5) - “When bullying doesn’t take place in schools. What do I need to know?”
• Webinar 4 (14/5) - “Phishing” in Web Waters
• Webinar 5 (21/5) - “Online sexual abuse. Truths and lies”

For more information please contact;
The Smile of the Child
Press Dept.
press@hamogelo.gr

For media requests please contact;  
Aimilia Papathanasopoulou,
Hill+Knowlton Strategies,
aimilia.papathanasopoulou@hkstrategies.com