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in Slovakia: teaching responsibility in a digital world

Thanks to advances in computer and telecommunication technology,  our kids are provided with extraordinary opportunities; however, they are often unaware of the risks constantly lurking online.

Except for its inspiring name, Narnia seems to be a school like any other. Situated in Bratislava’s notorious “concrete jungle”, Petrzalka, it welcomes the visitor with an inconspicuous facade, behind which pupils are swarming in and out of classrooms. A boy not older than 9 or 10 is tapping the keys of his mobile just under a sign reading “free Wi-Fi zone”.

“In Slovakia, some 90 percent of children use the Internet and mobile phones every day, but school curricula still do not include courses raising awareness on risks associated with modern technology,” says psychologist Maria Tothova-Simcakova, who is responsible for the “Children and Mobile Telecommunications” project funded entirely by Orange Slovakia.

Launched in 2006, the nationwide initiative is aimed at filling this gap and helping today’s e-generation recognise and avoid dangerous, inappropriate or unlawful behaviour such as phone and on line harassment, abusive emergency calls, or privacy violation.
A team of ten psychologists annually visit around 300 schools throughout Slovakia, and conduct a series of 45-minute courses meant for children aged between 7 and 16, thus reaching over 10,000 pupils a year.

As a framework for these courses, the experts have designed various experiential, game-based resources, learning activities and training tools to engage curiosity and encourage discussion – from colouring books for the youngest to awareness key-chains for their older peers.
In addition, they have created an educational website (www.oskole.sk) as well as a comprehensive guide for educators and parents.
“In fact, while we were working on the project, we found out that most parents have no clue how much time their children spend online and what kind of websites they visit; yet it is imperative that adults be informed on the importance of Internet safety, otherwise they cannot help their children navigate through the digital world in a responsible way,” explains Tothova-Simcakova, adding that this inspired the team to expand the project and start giving extra lectures for adults.
The courses are available to all elementary schools upon a simple request. At Narnia, almost all pupils and parents have already attended at least one lecture. And it is no wonder the initiative attracts so many participants: the lessons are lively, interactive and fun.

The discussion at Narnia is revealing: a 12-year-old boy says it has been the seventh time that his mobile was confiscated by a teacher after it rang in the middle of a class; several children admit to have downloaded a paper or an essay from the Internet; and it turns out that not a single pupil is without a Facebook account.
“This is supposed to be an open forum for children to express their experience,” remarks Tothova-Simcakova, “and, even more importantly, for us to get to listen to them and hear their needs. With each lecture, we gain a clearer idea of how to best equip these little cybercitizens for future challenges.”

words of participants

Noemi, 12 years old
“I’ve learned quite a lot of interesting things; from now on, I think I’ll stop giving out my number to so many people.”

Rado Jancula, head teacher
“Guiding the young toward a responsible use of technology is a long-distance run and cannot be achieved without the participation of parents. This project has enabled us to involve entire families in the learning process, which is extremely important.”

Zuzana Markusova, parent
“I appreciate the initiative very much. We parents demand that teachers watch over our children to make sure that they don’t visit inappropriate websites, yet we often forget we are responsible in the first place. My thanks and compliments to all organisers for opening our eyes!”

last update: 26 December 2012