Saferinternet.at conference with over 150 participants
Vienna (OTS) – At yesterday’s conference “Growing up in the digital world”, organized by the EU initiative Saferinternet.at on the occasion of this year’s Safer Internet Day, politicians and experts discussed current trends and challenges with educators, parents and an interested specialist audience. Young people were not only the subject of the event, but also actively involved in organizing the event. They supplemented the specialist lectures with exciting insights into their digital lives. The concept met with great interest – the conference was fully booked within a few days.
What challenges and trends do young people face on the Internet? How do beauty ideals in social networks affect your body confidence? What impact do AI tools like ChatGPT have? And how can you support children and young people in using digital media responsibly? The conference “Safer Internet – Growing up in the Digital World”, which took place in Vienna on February 15th, was dedicated to these questions. Not only did media experts share their knowledge with the audience, the young people themselves also had their say and invited people to discuss them at topic stations they designed themselves. With exciting lectures, workshops and plenty of space for networking, the event offered a varied program.
The fully booked conference, attended by over 150 people, took place at A1 Telekom Austria, a long-standing partner of Saferinternet.at. “As Austria’s leading telecommunications provider, we are companions of digitalization. It is particularly important to take responsibility when it comes to the youngest members of our society. The workshop program at our A1 digital.campus includes courses for children as well as those specifically for educators. We design these workshops with our long-standing partner Saferinternet.at and together we make an important contribution to the correct and competent use of digital media.”
said the landlord Thomas ArnoldnerDeputy Chairman of the Board of A1 Telekom Austria Group.
The conference was also supported by representatives from politics. “The two completely different topics of beauty ideals and artificial intelligence are now very close to one another. Images of AI-generated people are currently streaming onto social media. These fake people don’t have a single wrinkle, no scars and no pimples. Unfortunately, that does something to young people. They put a lot of pressure on them. These images suggest a reality that doesn’t exist. That’s why, as Youth State Secretary, I’m campaigning for an EU-wide labeling requirement for images of fake people.”
said the Youth State Secretary Claudia Plakolm in her welcoming speech.
“In order to prepare students for a future in which artificial intelligence will play a central role, comprehensive digital skills are required. Source criticism, information literacy as well as responsible use of digital media and critical thinking are central contents.”
said Education Minister Martin Polaschekwho in a video message also calls for the Safer Internet Action Month of February to be used as an opportunity to address the reflective use of digital media in numerous teaching subjects and to raise awareness.
Between empowerment and restriction: self-expression in social networks
Saferinternet.at was able to attract renowned speakers for the specialist lectures. In her keynote speech, media scientist Maya Götz spoke about the topic of self-expression in social networks. She discussed the opportunities for self-presentation that social media offers young people, and how adapting to cliched ideals of beauty can at the same time lead to dissatisfaction with one’s own body. As part of her lecture, Götz discussed how media literacy can be promoted in this context and the common concept of beauty can be expanded.
Myths, fairy tales, possibilities: Artificial intelligence in the education system
Elke Höfler, assistant professor of media didactics and language didactics at the University of Graz, addressed another explosive topic: In her keynote speech, she dealt with artificial intelligence in the education system and offered an insight into the possibilities and challenges that arise from the use of new technologies such as ChatGPT in class. She also questioned common assumptions regarding AI and showed what opportunities the conscious use of AI can offer.
Young people designed their own themed stations
A significant part of the conference was taken up by the program section designed by the young people themselves. 17 young people of the Saferinternet.at-Youth-Panels invited the audience to share experiences and, as experts in their own lives, offered practical insights into personally relevant digital topics. In four table groups, the young people spoke to the guests about beauty ideals in social media, cybersecurity, cyberbullying and peer mentoring as well as artificial intelligence and fake news. The young people then presented the exciting findings of the discussion rounds to the entire audience.
What was impressive was the expertise and openness the young people brought to digital topics. From the reflective approach to body images and filters in social networks to the competent use of AI technologies: the young people unanimously emphasized how important it is to actively engage with the opportunities and challenges on the Internet. The young people also demand this awareness from adults who they see as lacking knowledge in this context. This became clear, among other things, when it came to the hotly debated topic of AI: “We know that you can’t believe everything ChatGPT says. But we taught ourselves how to check AI-generated content.” The young people would like more support from parents and teachers here, because: “AI won’t go away again – so you have to learn how to use it!”
Conference as part of the Safer Internet Campaign Month
The conference took place in February, the Safer Internet campaign month, which Saferinternet.at announced again this year together with the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. The aim is to raise awareness of the safe and responsible use of digital media in Austria, not just on Safer Internet Day, but throughout February. Schools and youth facilities in particular are invited to take part in the month of action: They have the opportunity until March 5, 2024 to carry out their own creative projects related to safe internet and cell phone use and to take part in a raffle with attractive prizes. Those interested can find further information at www.saferinternetday.at.
About Saferinternet.at
Saferinternet.at supports children, young people, parents and teachers in using digital media safely, competently and responsibly. On our website www.saferinternet.at You will find current information and practical tips on topics such as social networks, cyberbullying, sexuality & internet, data protection, copyrights, internet fraud, media education, etc. In addition, Saferinternet.at offers tailor-made workshops in schools or at parents’ evenings as well as free guides, brochures and much more. Saferinternet.at is the Austrian information point in the EU’s Safer Internet Network (Insafe) and is implemented by the ACR Institute ÖIAT in cooperation with ISPA. Financing is provided by the EU Commission’s “Digital Europe/Safer Internet” program, the Federal Chancellery, the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, the Federal Ministry of Finance and sponsors from business such as A1 and Meta. Detailed information on all Saferinternet.at activities is available at www.saferinternet.at. If you have any questions or suggestions about Saferinternet.at, you can send an email to office@saferinternet.at.
Questions & Contact:
ÖIAT
Mag. Bernhard Jungwirth, M.Ed.
Tel: +43-1-595 2112-0
jungwirth@oiat.at
www.oiat.at