On 8 February, three deputy-ministers – of education, Ms. Milena Damianova, of culture, Mr. Todor Chobanov and of transportation, information technologies & communications, Mr. Parvan Rousinov, and the deputy-chairman of the State Agency for Child Protection, Mr. Kalin Kamenov, participated in the celebration of the international Safer Internet Day (SID) in Bulgaria. The main event took place at the “Elisaveta Bagriana” school in the capital Sofia, where the four VIP guests launched the new Safer Internet campaign “It’s more than a game, it’s your life.” United by this motto, about 70 countries around the world organized hundred of events and initiatives. Initiated by the European Commission, this was the 8th consecutive year to celebrate SID. This is the occasion of the year to join our efforts in making the internet a better place for our children and young people.
Mr. Asen Aleksandrov, director of the “Elisaveta Bagriana” school, opened the event in Sofia and greeted the attending guests from the various state institutions, the media and the Public Council for Safer Internet.
Mrs. Milena Damianova, Deputy-Minister of Education, Youth and Science, pointed out that the fact that SID 2011 is celebrated in a dozens of schools all around the country demonstrates the commitment of the stakeholders to children’s online and offline safety, and the recognition of the important role of the school in ensuring this safety. It is essential to talk about the Internet not solely within the information technologies class periods, but always, said Mrs. Damianova. She announced that the Ministry of Education commences an inspection of all contracts between schools and Internet providers in order to ensure safer Internet use at least in schools, where children spend a large portion of the day. Mrs. Damianova thanked all members of the Public Council for Safer Internet for their incessant efforts to ease children in their safer use of the new technologies. She also summoned all institutions and agencies to joint their efforts.
Mr. Todor Chobanov, Deputy-Minister of Culture, talked about the role of children in leading grown-ups in their use of the Internet and gave the example with the recent census where a large number of senior Bulgarians have relied on youngsters to show them how to go online, make their account and complete the census electronically. This, Chobanov said, has created a cross-generational bridge which is a proof that the times we live in are characterized by many challenges but also by many interesting phenomena. That is why safer Internet is a must and is our joint goal, which will soon become a pan-European priority where more efforts will be made in this direction, he added. These efforts, however, are often increasingly reactive, including filtering and blocking of content. What is more important is to arm children with critical thinking and raise them as responsible and well-informed users of the Internet, emphasized Chobanov. He promised that the Ministry of Culture will buttress the efforts to build a culture of safer Internet use by the youngsters.
Mr. Parvan Rousinov, Deputy-Minister of Transportation, Information Technologies and Communications, drew attention to the great importance of the slogan of this year’s SID. He pointed out the joint responsibility of parents, educators and different institutions to prepare children for the dangers, which they might encounter online. The informed choice and informed behavior are most essential for guaranteeing the safety of children and young people in their use of the Internet, said Mr. Rousinov.
Mr. Kalin Kamenov, Deputy-Chairman of the State Agency for Child Protection, indicated the great opportunities that the Internet opens to today’s young people, but he also stressed the fact that we often fail to pay enough attention to the dangers that it hides. That is why parents and all grownups must regularly talk to children on this topic.
After the official part of the event, the attendees entered a classroom, where Mr. Rousinov talked to children about how to stay safe on the Internet and explained to them the rules of the new “Flashboy in the World of Spammies” family game which can be also played ay school The educational board game, developed by Association “Parents” and the Bulgarian SIC was then played by the attending fouth-graders. Mr. Kamenov and Mr. Aleksandrov represented the team of the grownups and all children took turns in throwing the dice to contribute to the victory of their team. Meanwhile, they discussed the various safer Internet advices that the game features. Flashboy, the defender of children online, dressed in its special costume, also helped children. The game provoked great enthusiasm among children and brought a lot of fun and laughter.
Safer Internet Day was celebrated in more than 100 schools in 14 cities and towns around the country – Sofia, Varna, Kozlodui, Dimitrovgrad, Gotze Delchev, Vratza, Novi Pazar, Madan, Magarovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Kazanlak, Sliven, Rousse, and Biala. The Bulgarian SIC and Association “Parents” sent more than 3,000 games, posters and badges to the participating schools to use in the events and initiatives thay have planned.
