1) Socio-economic background matters

Depending upon the socio-economic background of school pupils, their knowledge about the Internet differs greatly. For instance, some kids know e-mail and online video games from home when they enter school. Others have yet to get an e-mail address for themselves

Families with several PCs at home and a broadband Internet connection may be more savvy regarding Internet use than those families where parents do not surf themselves or rarely if ever.

2) Technology makes a difference

In some countries, 5 year olds have a mobile phone and exchange pictures and messages beginning with the first day in school. Does this mean they need to cope with similar threats as do kids surfing the Internet? If the principles and concepts are the same, how should they be addressed?

Children may get porno images or videos sent to their cellphones, or be mobbed in a social forum online. In theory, what it takes to protect oneself or to minimize the risks is the same but in practice ..... there is surely a difference.

3) We say we speak to the kids but tend to fail more often than not

Does our message really speak to the kids? Providing visually stunning animated education program that uses entertainment to provide younger children with the fundamental building blocks of better security online is a great first step:

Hector - New Zealand - maybe but do I want to watch this twice?

But are these images relevant to a 10 year old forth grader in primary school? And will parents take the time to look at these kind of animated education programs with their youngsters? Do these images really help my child deciding the right thing when being asked to give away her privacy for signing up with Facebook?

Watch Your Space - Upload Once Online Forever

Great cartoon but will it help my kid making a wiser decision?

4) Re-inventing the wheel

Many places have begun to focus on cyber security and are going ahead with their campagins ranging from cities (Zurich) to countries (see Bulgaria) below:

- Safer Internet Day 2008 - 7 reasons why campaigns against online pedophiles must be coordinated

- Bulgaria: A year of safer Internet

All worthwhile efforts but it is unsure if these could not benefit from sharing with others about the insights as well as the tools used. What works and what does not, best practice examples and templates would be helpful.

But more often than not, each community or group starts again from scratch. Possibly not the most effective approach to spread the message and help protect our children better?

5) Bringing it into the classroom

- Safer Internet Day 2008 - why teachers need help

Right on this blog called the Safer Internet Day 2008 blogothon, you can find plenty of digital images of pre-teens and teens. Even government agencies seem to be throwing caution to the wind. In turn, how can we demand from our teachers to step in and stop further damage when their 'masters' fail the grade (see how the Danish Media Council needs some help)? See example here Denmark and YouTube:

Denmark -The Media Council for Children and Young People: You are what you upload online!

6) Key Performance Indicator or KPI is missing

Most campaigns or efforts require some benchmarking against no more than 4 KPIs. For instance, if Zurich does have 40 people taken in for questioning regarding pedophile activity and possible sexual exploitation of children. But how many of these cases will be prosecuted and result in a court ruling? As well, does Zurich intend to reduce that number with the help of the campaign or what?

- Safer Internet Day 2008 - why KPIs are the key for a successful campaign against pedophiles

Developing KPIs for efforts regarding a safer Internet for children

Remember, if the measuring efforts take nearly more time than activities undertaken to improve cyberspace security levels for children, KPI is a non-starter.