New mobile app protects children from online threats

The new SafeNetApp mobile application can quickly connect the users to an online safety expert if a child faces a problem on the Internet. SafeNetApp is developed by the National Safer Internet Center with the support of Telenor and is available for both Android and iOS mobile devices.

Consumers can alert a consultant by phone and chat about illegal and abusive online content or behavior, but also through the online form of the National Safer Internet Center, accessible with just one click on the app.

Besides asking for advice or support, when a child or adolescent encounters a threat on the Internet, the app allows users to check if their password is secure enough. They can also test their knowledge on Internet safety, and upon registration, they can compare their results with that of other users.

"SafeNetApp is the next step we make together with Telenor aiming at providing a safer online environment for our children", said Georgi Apostolov, coordinator of the National Safer Internet Center. "A recent survey shows worrying results, according to which on average, one out of ten children has received disturbing messages in the digital space over the last year, with the highest percentage being in children aged 15 to 17 - 21%. Unfortunately, over the last six years, child harassment, both on the Internet and beyond, has increased significantly. I hope that with our consistent activities, we will make parents and adolescents more responsible online and will change together these statistics", he added.