Online Safety Workshop

On Friday, 23^rd May, students from Grades 8 and 9 attended an educational workshop focused on children’s online safety, with a special emphasis on the use of social media. The workshop was led by Katarina Jonev, an expert in children’s online safety, and was organized by the Angelina Foundation, which is dedicated to preventing violence in all its forms.

Designed as an interactive dialogue, the workshop encouraged students to actively participate by asking questions, sharing personal experiences, and discussing the everyday challenges they face in the digital world.

One of the key topics was the psychological impact of social media, in particular, why “likes” and comments matter to us so much. Students learned that this is linked to dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone released in the brain when we receive praise or validation. This mechanism can lead to social media addiction, fostering the belief that our self-worth depends on the number of reactions our posts receive.

The workshop also addressed how to recognise online dangers and how to act in risky situations. Special attention was given to the importance of reporting any form of violence or harassment – because no kind of violence, whether in the real or digital world, should ever be tolerated or ignored.

In addition to representatives from the Angelina Foundation, the workshop was also attended by members of the National Contact Centre for Child Online Safety, who presented ways students can seek help if they feel unsafe online.

We thank the Angelina Foundation for their outstanding partnership and dedication to educating young people on such important safety issues.