Safer Internet Armenia

Armenia joined the pan-European initiative to celebrate Safer Internet Day in February 2009, and a wide range of activities has been organized since February 10, 2009, in Yerevan by the Media Education Center and Microsoft Corporation.

A new website featuring links to and a collection of teaching and learning resources devoted to e-safety and social networking was launched by the Media Education Center. The website contains sections on blogs, chat rooms, social networks, file sharing, and filtering. For the first time, Armenian users can read in Armenian about Internet-related risks such as cyberbullying, phishing, pharming, Internet fraud, and identity theft. The website also addresses issues such as copyright and protection of private information, offering valuable tips for parents, children, teenagers, and teachers on safer and more responsible behavior online.

A roundtable and several workshops on safer and more responsible use of online technology, mobile phones, and Internet literacy were organized in Armenian schools by the Media Education Center and Microsoft Armenia for youngsters, parents, teachers, local authorities, and NGOs. The Enterprise Incubator Foundation, Noyan Tapan Media Holding, National Center of Educational Technologies, Union of IT Enterprises, CAPS/USAID, iCon ISP, Internet Society of Armenia, and “IT and Women” joined the initiative. Representatives from the World Bank, British Council, and ArmenTel/BeeLine actively participated in discussions.

Over two weeks, in school computer laboratories, children learned about safer web usage by playing online games. They also prepared their own presentations on spam, viruses, and cyber etiquette. Microsoft Corporation demonstrated the use of Internet filters and shared information on filtering software. Two competitions were announced for schoolchildren and teachers: "The Best Electronic Teaching Material" and "The Best School Website."

Currently, the Media Education Center is developing a new “Safer Internet Armenia” project aimed at raising public awareness about safe and effective use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies. The project’s goal is to educate children, parents, youth, and teachers on how to use new technologies effectively and creatively. Experts from the Media Education Center have already analyzed more than 10,000 websites and created a collection of links to 3,000 safe educational web resource s.