BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Urvan Parfentyev is the coordinator of Safer Internet Centre – Russia since its start of operation in 2008. Graduated from Russian State University for the Humanities, holds a degree in political science. Previous experience of work is in the field of political technologies, media and legal issues. Also was a lecturer in RSUH for political and legal courses, author and co-author of five works in the field of political science. Before coordinating Safer Internet Centre was in charge of special Internet media concerning user safety online.

28 September, Tuesday, 14.30 – 16.30

Parallel session: Educating for online safety

Presentation title: The role of youth libraries in online safety education

Co-operation of safer internet centres with youth libraries’ systems can be really useful for promotion of child online safety among youth, parents, decision-makers. First, level of expertise of youth libraries’ specialists in the field of content for children and youth is really high, often higher than one of school teachers – since libraries work much closer with child content. At the same time, children do not treat libraries the same way as schools – what makes them more open for information, but at the same time libraries have the same respect as schools do. Second, youth libraries have a very extended network, especially in post-Soviet countries, what allows to reach children and parents in distant regions. This network is centralized and has a good internal communication, at the same time it is less formal than school system.

All this makes youth libraries even more attractive partners than school system. Libraries become offline information centres for youth and parents about Internet-safety, provide people with printed and video materials, can consult about responsible and safe use of the Internet. Educational aspects of library work allow them to contribute to forming ethical and responsible principles of using the Internet among children and youth. Being regional information centres, libraries participate and organize safer internet events, contribute to the work of help centres, and also provide information about hotlines.