According to new evidence provided by SafeLine, the Greek helpline accepting reports for illegal material one may encounter online, abuse reports have reached the number of 3,635 in 2011, which indicates that Greeks are rather vigilant in safely using the Internet and reporting any distribution of illicit online activities or material.
The popular and widely used social network of Facebook ranks first in the abuse reports list of Safe Line with 35%. 16% of the reports concern insults, slander, threats and racist behavior.
Requests relating to general information on the safe navigation through the cyberspace rank second in the list with 32%. Out of the 1,559 requests made to SafeLine from January to December 2011 – mostly by adults – 171 were about facing problems with social network websites and especially with Facebook.
In fact, the helpline personnel offered psychological and counseling support to 993 abuse reporters, while another 250 cases were referred to the Teenage Health Unit to become part of the Unit’s programme, aimed at helping teenagers with their addiction to the Internet.
Moreover, 225 abuse reports were referred to the Electronic Crime Unit and other similar bodies to further investigate the acts of abuse.
The evidence was publicized Tuesday on the occasion of the Safer Internet Day, which is organised by Insafe each year in February to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world. Under the theme of connecting generations and educating each other, with the slogan: “Discover the digital world together… safely!”, more than 160 schools, libraries, organizations, parents’ associations and individuals have spread the message that the Internet may be a useful tool, but it must not be misused.
SafeLine is one of the three axes of the Greek Safer Internet Centre that is implemented under the auspices of the European Commission within the framework of the Safer Internet Programme. The other two axes, Saferinternet.gr and YpoSTIRIZO, are the national representatives of the European Network of Awareness Centres, Insafe.
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