Visibility of eTwinning Projects Group July 2025 Newsletter
Safe Net Kids: Empowering Young Digital Citizens through Collaboration by Alexandra Efthymiou
Introduction In today’ s digital age, marked by the rapid development of digital literacy and the demands of digital society, education is called upon to cultivate skills related to digital citizenship and responsible online behavior within the school community( Chatzigeorgiadou, 2024; Ribble, 2011). The integration of Information and Communication Technologies( ICT) into education provides students with opportunities for active engagement, creativity, and international collaboration. At the same time, it fosters the development of responsibility, respect, cooperation, and the enhancement of essential soft skills( Kippels, M. C. S., 2023; UNESCO, 2021).
The diversity and specific characteristics of our school community – including Roma students, multilingual learners, and students with ADHD and learning difficulties – shaped the framework for inclusion. It was deemed important to involve all students in a project that promotes equitable participation and empowers their personal voices within the digital space( Badikian, 2017). The
eTwinning project“ Safe Net Kids” proved to be an ideal context for reinforcing students’ agency, creativity, and social skills. Furthermore, it combined meaningful content with experiential and cooperative methodologies, responding to the societal need to prepare students as responsible digital citizens of the future( Matsaggouras, 2000).
The students’ participation in activities such as poster creation, podcasts, comics, and interactive digital presentations, as well as their interaction with peers from other countries and the use of innovative digital tools including Artificial Intelligence, significantly enhanced their self-confidence and contributed to the creation of a positive and inclusive learning environment. All of this took place in a time of rapid digital transformation, with both parents and teachers supporting the empowerment and active participation of students in such enriching experiences( Livingstone & Blum-Ross, 2020).
School profile – project participants The 4th Primary School of Gerakas is a public primary school located in Northeastern Attica, Greece, serving a multicultural and educationally diverse student population. The heterogeneity of the school community is regarded not as a challenge, but as a source of inspiration and a foundation for cross-curricular educational initiatives aimed at fostering equity and inclusion( Boukla, 2018; Pedagogical Institute, 2001).
The“ Safe Net Kids” project was implemented from December 2024 to May 2025 with the 4th-grade class of our
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