Children and young people across Albania are saying it clearly: a safe internet is not a privilege, but a right. They made this demand and many others public during the 11th National Forum for Safety in Digital Space, where they presented the Children and Young People's Manifesto for Safety and Protection on the Internet.
The Manifesto was prepared by the Safer Internet Ambassadors of CRCA and iSIGURT Albania, with the support of the netSMARTkids Albania project, funded by the European Union. Since 2024, more than 200 young people have been actively contributing across Albania as Safer Internet Ambassadors, promoting online safety, awareness and protection of their peers in public education schools in Albania.
The manifesto delivers simple but powerful messages. Children and young people demand truthful information, online safety without violence and fear, protection from abuse and real support when something goes wrong. They emphasize that the internet should be learned and used well, not be a source of insecurity or danger.
In this manifesto, they also remind us of the role that adults and institutions must play. Family, school and institutions are essential parts of their security. When adults are informed, cooperate and react in time, children feel stronger and more protected.
The manifesto is not just a call. It is a call to action for online platforms, public institutions, professionals and society as a whole, to build together an internet where children are not just users, but feel safe, respected and included. As children themselves say: We deserve a safe internet.
The manifesto was presented at a special event of the Children's Friends Parliamentary Group during the month of February, as part of the activities being organised by the International Safer Internet Day Committee in Albania.
