Online safety: digital literacy from primary school onwards and engaging the community
The third National Digital Pacts Meeting is launching new networks with schools and institutions to help families use technology responsibly
Whilst there is renewed discussion of restricting minors’ access to social media, following the turbulent days of Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 October, and the Prime Minister has opened the door to this possibility, responding to questions from *La Repubblica* (despite the deadlock surrounding numerous proposals in Parliament), students are making their voices heard at the third National Meeting of the Digital Pacts, scheduled for today at the University of Milan-Bicocca. The proposal comes from the National Council of Presidents of the Provincial Student Councils (CNPC) and is clear and precise in its content: to ban access to social media for children under 14 and to introduce digital literacy programmes from primary school onwards, so as to ensure greater online safety.
“We are not calling for social media to be banned because we are opposed to technology, but because we realise that the use of this specific platform is taking away space for relationships and community life,” explains Alessandro Gianesini, regional coordinator of the Veneto Student Councils and CNPC delegate for digital education, innovation and artificial intelligence. “We want to get back to meeting up and sharing real-life experiences. To achieve this, we need common rules, but also digital education that begins before children gain access to social media, because growing up does not automatically mean being ready to use it.”
The Fondazione Patti Digitali supports the proposal and, in line with the recommendation not to give children a personal smartphone before the age of 14, will promote it within its regional network, raising awareness amongst families and educational communities, whilst also championing it at European level.
Digital agreements in schools and institutions
Today’s meeting will also see the presentation of two initiatives that build on the experience gained through the Digital Pacts – informal agreements between families who choose to follow the same rules in their daily lives, to promote the safe, active and informed use of technology – into schools and institutions. Consequently, both the National Network of Digital Pacts for Schools – which connects schools committed to a literate use of technological tools – and the National Network of Digital Pacts for Institutions – which links local authorities, regions and other bodies committed to a more informed and sustainable approach to education regarding the online world.
The new set of guidelines for upper secondary schools is also presented, complementing the one for lower secondary schools. The guidelines include topics such as digital wellbeing in civic education, a critical reflection on generative AI, before introducing it into teaching, and an electronic register that safeguards pupils’ autonomy, with marks published at least 48 hours after they have been announced in class. Among the schools present were the ICS Umberto Eco in Milan, the IC Albertelli-Newton and IC Ferrari in Parma, the Istituto Farlottine in Bologna and the IC1 Mandela in Mogliano Veneto.
