Swedish Safer Internet Centre (SIC Sweden)

ended

The Swedish Safer Internet Centre is aimed at strengthening the implementation of the BIK Strategy in Sweden. This will be achieved by reinforcing the consortium, previously consisting of government agency Swedish Media Council and child-rights NGO Bris with a third partner: ECPAT, running the Swedish hotline. With a complete SIC, Sweden will be able to contribute even further to the Core Service Platform, the Insafe and INHOPE networks. Recognizing the numerous opportunities that the internet offers children and young people, the initiative sees MIL as an important tool for strengthening minors against harmful influences related to increased digital media use. Awareness raising must encompass risk areas, such as sexual predators, influencers spreading disinformation, cyberbullying, addiction to games and devices. Building on a solid, scientifical evidence, the consortium proposes to develop new initiatives aimed at strengthening output quality and results. As complexity in the media landscape and in children’s media habits increases, SIC Sweden will adapt its methods to meet the challenges by refining its’ approaches. Relevant data will be used to identify vulnerable groups and children’s own behaviors and perspectives will be fundamental. The helpline will provide support to every child reaching out and to further increase capacity, the helpline will develop an AI tool that will facilitate documentation for the counsellors. Through the hotline, the public can report suspected child sexual exploitation and abuse. Such materials can also be removed. To ensure quick processing of reports, the hotline will explore a design to enable a high level of automation in the report handling. With three competent actors behind the Swedish SIC, with a proven track-record, solid infrastructure and monitoring in place, we believe this proposal will be an important piece of the European strive for making internet a great and safe place for children and young people.