The funding will ensure the continuation of the well-established European network of national SICs by enabling the awarded consortia to provide at least:

• A centre for raising awareness among children, parents/carers, teachers, educators, and other relevant professionals working with children about online opportunities and risks for those under 18. The focus will be to identify and address:

  • Specific and general emerging risks (e.g., new apps and games, AI, virtual/augmented/extended reality, the internet of things, and other technological changes raising new social and ethical challenges that impact children).

  • Issues such as mental and physical health risks related to the use of technologies (e.g., self-harm, cyberbullying, risky online challenges, promotion of eating disorders).

  • Risks facing children as young consumers (e.g., nudges to spend money, aggressive marketing strategies, loot boxes), on which specific attention will be paid.

• Timely information to local, national, and European actors on emerging risks through the helpline service.

• Access to resources and services by public authorities, including law enforcement agencies, and exchanges with hotline analysts to develop better preventive measures and to remove online child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

• Increased cooperation of the private sector with the SICs, including those recognised in the future as “trusted flaggers” to assist the public, particularly children, when confronted with harmful and illegal content.