Ljubljana – The Information Commissioner highlighted the importance of raising awareness among children and adolescents about personal data protection on the European Data Protection Day. “Encouraging responsible and safe use of digital tools should be a high priority at home and in the school system,” stated Information Commissioner Jelena Virant Burnik.

The Information Commissioner, with the slogan Protect the Moments that Count!, is launching a new European project called PrivacyPRO, aimed at raising awareness about responsible and safe use of digital tools and artificial intelligence, especially for elementary school children and teachers.

Children are exposed daily to the mass collection of their personal data. The schooling process is becoming increasingly digitalized, children share data via social networks and instant messaging services, and they are targeted and profiled with content that may be harmful, it was stated.

As part of the project, the Information Commissioner will issue various educational materials for children, such as a board game, comics, and short videos. Teachers will be able to use them to easily present the dangers of the internet and digital tools that threaten privacy and personal data protection.

The project is funded by the EU under the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme 2021-2027, established alongside the Justice Programme for the period 2021-2027 as part of the Justice, Rights and Values Fund. (January 28)