In April 2025, the Erasmus+ training course “CyberSafe Youth: Protecting Digital Spaces and Empowering Communities” took place in Budapest, Hungary. It brought together youth workers, educators, and NGO professionals from across Europe to explore how to protect and support young people in an increasingly digital world. The project focused on empowering those who work directly with youth to understand cyber threats, teach digital responsibility, and create safer online environments. As young people spend more and more time online, they face risks such as cyberbullying, identity theft, misinformation, and privacy violations. For a youth worker representing the Italian organization Terra Dulcis, this training offered new tools and perspectives to address those challenges locally and beyond.
In Italy, the digital transformation has opened many opportunities for young people. They use social media, messaging apps, and online platforms daily to study, play, communicate, and discover new interests. But with these opportunities also come dangers. Many young people in Italy, especially in rural or economically disadvantaged areas, are not taught how to protect themselves online. They may not know how to recognize a scam, report cyberbullying, or understand what happens when they share personal information publicly. While digital literacy is slowly being included in the school curriculum, there are still many gaps. Teachers are often overworked, parents may lack digital skills, and youth workers don’t always receive training to support young people facing online problems. Before the training in Budapest, it was clear that a stronger and more organized approach was needed in Italy to help young people become more confident and responsible in digital spaces.
The training course in Budapest created a space where participants could learn together and share experiences. From the first day, it was clear that the project was about more than just technology. It was about trust, awareness, and communication. One of the most eye-opening parts of the training was the session on understanding different types of cyber threats. Participants learned about phishing, malware, fake websites, and the emotional impact of online harassment. The trainers explained how to identify warning signs and how to support young people who feel afraid, ashamed, or confused because of something that happened online. The training also focused on how digital problems often affect mental health and self-esteem.
Another important part of the training was promoting digital responsibility. The group explored how to encourage respectful communication, prevent hate speech, and reduce the spread of misinformation. There were many interactive activities that could be easily used with young people in schools or youth centers, such as digital role-plays, games that teach how to check facts, and group discussions about real-life online situations. The legal sessions were also helpful, especially those about data protection laws like GDPR. These sessions gave youth workers more confidence to explain digital rights and responsibilities to young people and their families.
During the week, the group visited a youth community center in Budapest that had created its own peer-education program. Teenagers there led workshops for their classmates, created posters about safe online behavior, and produced short videos warning about scams and fake news. This experience showed the power of letting youth become active leaders in their digital environment. Seeing how motivated and creative these young people were inspired the participant from Terra Dulcis to start something similar back home.
After returning to Italy, the youth worker began working with Terra Dulcis to develop a new initiative called “Naviga Sicuro,” which means “Surf Safe.” The project focused on small towns in Southern Italy where young people often use digital tools but have little access to formal online safety education. The idea was to bring interactive workshops directly to schools and youth spaces. Each workshop was designed to be informal, youth-friendly, and based on dialogue. The activities focused on common online risks, how to recognize them, and what to do when something feels wrong or unsafe. Topics included online privacy, digital reputation, cyberbullying, and emotional well-being.
The youth worker also trained a group of young volunteers who became peer educators. These volunteers helped lead discussions, create materials, and speak from their own experience. Some of them shared personal stories about being harassed online or falling for online scams, helping others feel less alone. The project also included a short guide for parents and educators, explaining in simple language how to support youth in the digital world.
The response to “Naviga Sicuro” was positive and emotional. Many young participants said they had never talked openly about these topics before. Some students asked questions about things they were too shy or embarrassed to ask at home or in class. Teachers appreciated having ready-made activities that helped them integrate digital safety into their lessons. Parents, especially those with limited internet experience, were thankful to receive tips that helped them feel more involved in their children’s online lives.
The project’s impact spread beyond the original towns. Terra Dulcis was invited to present the program during a regional education forum. As a result, new partnerships were formed with schools, libraries, and community centers. The NGO also received support from local government offices interested in making digital literacy part of youth policy. With this momentum, “Naviga Sicuro” expanded to include a summer program and a digital storytelling competition where young people created videos about how to stay safe online.
Reflecting on the journey from Budapest to Italy, it is clear that the Erasmus+ experience was not just a training—it was the start of a long-term mission. Cyber threats are real, but so is the strength of youth when they are supported, informed, and trusted. The training reminded everyone that solutions do not come only from professionals. Young people themselves can be the best defenders of their digital world when they are given tools, knowledge, and a voice. The journey continues, but the seeds planted during “CyberSafe Youth” are already growing across borders.
The long-term goal for Terra Dulcis and the youth worker involved is to make sure digital education is not a one-time event but a regular part of youth work. The organization hopes to create an online hub where youth and educators can access materials, share ideas, and connect with others across Europe. The digital world is here to stay, and so is the commitment to make it safer, kinder, and more inclusive—for every young person, no matter where they live.