Day Conference "Safer Internet: Education and Protection of Children and Adolescents"

On the occasion of the Celebration of the "Safer Internet Day 2011", in the context of the wider agreement between the Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs with the Hellenic Center for Safer Internet, the Science and Technology Museum (STM) of the University of Patras and the Regional Directorate of Secondary Education of Western Greece - Departments of Health Education - organized a Day Conference, on Friday, February 11, 2011, from 9:00 a.m.-1:15 p.m, for teachers and parents of the Prefecture of Achaia, on "Safer Internet: Education and Protection of Children and Adolescents".

The organization of the event was supported by the Federation of Parents' Associations of the Prefecture of Achaia and was open to the public, while it was broadcast live.

The event was held as a parallel activity of the exhibition "Telecommunications in our lives" which operates in the area of the STM. The Internet, one of the most modern means of telecommunication, has now entered our lives. The aim of the Day Conference was to inform the participants, by important scientists, about the ways of educating children and young people, so that they can surf safely on the Internet. At the same time, through the Day Conference, the contribution of the Science and Technology Museum to the Education and Protection of children and adolescents was presented, through its educational programs.

The event started with a group tour of the participants.

The Day Conference was opened by the Rector of the University of Patras, G.Panagiotakis, Professor and greeted by: E.Vitoratos, Professor, Director of the STM UP, G.Panagiotopoulos, Regional Director of Primary and Secondary Education, D.Filias, Deputy Mayor of Education, Transparency and Electronic Consulting of the Municipality of Patras, V.Chondrogiannis, Director of Primary Education of the Prefecture of Achaia, E.Pierri, Director of Primary Education of the Municipality of Patras and G.Papalexiou, President of the Federation of Parents' Associations of the Prefecture of Achaia.

Speeches were heard by Nikolaos Avouris, Professor of the Department of Electrical and Computing Engineering of the UP. "The Internet as a social medium", Dr.Michael Paraskevas, Technical Manager of the School Network / The Computer Technology Institute and Press (CTI) "Internet: Benefits and risks. How to educate our children in the world of the Internet", George Kormas, Scientific Associate of the Non Governmental Organization (NGO) "For Adolescent Health" (FAH), the Helpline I SUPPORT, representative of the Hellenic Center for Safer Internet "The role of the internet in the psychosocial development of children and adolescents", Nikos Holevas and Voula Papafilippopoulou, Heads of Primary and Secondary Health Education Departments of the Prefecture of Achaia "The role of education in students for the safe use of the Internet", Vasilis Delis and Eftychios Valeontis, Representatives of the Computer Technology Institute and Press "SIM Safety: a game of education in the safe use of the Internet", Peny Theologi-Gouti, Architect Engineer-Ethnologist, Curator of the STM and Athena Pilarinos Electrical Engineer at the STM, The STM Educational Program:"Surfing Safely on the Internet".

A discussion followed.