Betternet
the Belgian Safer Internet Center
About us
Through media literacy initiatives for professionals, a helpline for all e-safety related issues and problems and a hotline for child sexual abuse material, Betternet works towards a better internet for all children in Belgium.
The project is a collaboration between Child Focus, Média Animation, Mediawijs and the Conseil supérieur de l’éducation aux médias.
We provide resources on
New technologies
We cooperate and develop educational awareness raising activities for youth professionals since 2015.
Our tools and resources address current issues related to media literacy and e-safety, and we work hard to stay up-to-date with the latest digital developments.
Our vision
The internet offers plenty of opportunities: from childhood to adulthood, it is a space for amusement, information, creativity, discovery, learning opportunities, work, personal and interpersonal growth. Yet, as in the offline world, digital spaces present some risks, especially for the most vulnerable and the least digitally literate.
As children step in the online environment, it is important that they start acquiring the knowledge to navigate it.
We believe that by providing tools and training to professionals working with children, we can have a greater impact on society as a whole.
Most of our initiatives are therefore dedicated to professionals that want to engage and ensure children enjoy the digital world to the fullest.
The partners
Child Focus is the Belgian foundation for missing and sexually exploited children. Child Focus’ mission is to prevent children from going missing and/or becoming victims of sexual exploitation. To do so, it runs the civil hotline to report child sexual abuse material found online through stopimagesdabus.be, it operates a helpline for questions related to e-safety for children through the free emergency number 116 000 or via www.cybersquad.be. Last but not least, Child Focus develops educational material and training for parents, teachers and youth professionals.
Media Animation is the media education resource center for the Belgian French-speaking Community, recognized and subsidized by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture. Media Animation’s mission is to support operators in the field of education, culture and social work. To that end, Media Animation implements research, information, training and educational publication and resources in media education.
Mediawijs is the Flemish Knowledge Centre for Digital and Media Literacy at imec vzw on the initiative of the Flemish Minister for Media. It helps the citizens of the Flemish community in Flanders and Brussels to use digital technology and media actively, creatively, consciously and critically to participate in society. To do this, Mediawijs offers information, pedagogical tools and training for professionals, children, parents, …
Conseil supérieur de l’éducation aux médias (CSEM) is the public authority in charge of the development of media literacy policies in the Federation Wallonia-Brussels. CSEM’s mission is to promote media literacy and to encourage the exchange of information and cooperation between all the actors and organisations concerned by media literacy in the French Community, in particular the different media sectors, compulsory education and continuing education.