The “Digital Children” project (Project: 101158515) is an 18-month initiative for the 2024–2025 period, co-funded by the European Union under the “Digital Europe,” which aims to support the work of the National Center for Safer Internet and ensure the protection of Bulgarian children in the online environment. The project’s main focus is on preventing online violence and developing digital media literacy among children, youth, and the adults who work with them. Special attention within the project’s activities is given to vulnerable groups with limited access to education and information about digital risks.
The project is centered on maintaining and expanding the Center’s key services — the 124 123 helpline (and its associated chat service) to support children and parents, as well as the hotline for reporting illegal content and online crimes against children. Other key activities include the development of a mobile app for emergency assistance and digital skills training, as well as large-scale training programs for teachers, school counselors, psychologists, and social workers. The project also places a strong emphasis on youth participation through the “peers educating peers” approach, in which young people develop their own awareness campaigns and help their classmates use technology safely.
The initiative is being implemented by a consortium led by the “Parents” Association, which serves as the lead coordinator. Implementation partners include the National Network for Children (NNC), which is responsible for legal analysis and institutional advocacy for a more effective government response to online crimes, and the Bulgarian Association for Family Planning and Sexual Health (BAFPSH), which focuses on developing methodologies and training programs for young people. A trusted partner of the project in the fight against illegal content is the Cybercrime Directorate within the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP).
Co-funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Executive Agency for Health and Digitalization (HaDEA). Neither the European Union nor HaDEA can be held responsible for them.