International Event Emphasizes Critical Online Issues and Presents Potential Resolutions for a Safer Web
International Forum on Internet Safety: A Global Collaboration
The International Safe Internet League, in association with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, hosted the 14th International Safe Internet Forum on April 25, 2025, at the International Multimedia Press Center of the media group "Russia Today." The theme for the forum was "Modern Challenges and Threats to Children's Safety in the Internet."
In the digital universe, people encouner vast amounts of information, some of which can be valuable, while others can be hazardous or even life-threatening, especially for children and adolescents. This issue was highlighted during the plenary session by Ekaterina Mizulina, Chair of the Safe Internet League and Member of the Russian Civic Chamber.
Internet-related challenges range from cybersecurity to user dependency on social networks, phishing, fraud, and information overload. Addressing these issues calls for coordinated efforts from all nations. As Mizulina stated, "Each country in the world struggles with these serious threats to citizens' safety in their unique ways. Some countries engage in negotiations with major IT platforms, whereas others enforce restrictions on minors' use of social networks and gadgets, and yet others strengthen their legislation. United action is essential if we are to surmount these challenges effectively."
Elena Milskaya, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing these issues. She thanked the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Muhammad bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for placing their trust in the organizers and providing the opportunity to exchange experiences in child safety and develop bilateral relations between Russia and the United Arab Emirates.
The exchange of experiences is particularly significant, as the UAE employs a distinct approach to protecting children from illegal content on the internet. The National Assistance Center was chosen as the hub for a series of trainings for child protection specialists from both countries. These trainings, which started on April 23, saw the participation of over 37 representatives from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Russian Investigative Committee, and the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, as well as experts and volunteers from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Khaled Mohammed Alkaabi, Director of the Child Protection Center of the Ministry of Interior of the UAE, stated the importance of adult responsibility in safeguarding children and teenagers. He encouraged education, open communication, and setting personal examples to help children navigate the internet safely.
Sergei Nabolin, Deputy Director of the Information and Press Department of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, praised the exchange of experiences, considering it an excellent example of international cooperation.
The participants of the plenary session also addressed the dependency on gadgets, a topic that Alexei Goreslavsky, General Director of the autonomous non-profit organization "Institute for Internet Development," discussed further in the light of a study's implications.
Following the plenary session, thematic sections were held, with discussions revolving around various topics, such as the video game industry, legal regulation of network materials, the creation of positive content filled with correct values, internet deception types, and the possibilities of applying artificial intelligence technologies.
However, artificial intelligence can also aid fraudsters. The incidence of cybercrime involving these technologies is on the rise. Forum speakers discussed methods of detecting and combating such schemes.
Cybercrime statistics paint a disconcerting picture. In 2024, there were 448,000 victims of telephone and cyber fraud in Russia alone. Additionally, according to banks, the number of phishing and online earning offer scams increased by 50% in January 2025 compared to December of the previous year.
During a thematic session titled "Sovereign Runet for Future Generations," the practice of bans and restrictions on the internet was discussed. Yevgeny Zabrodin, a member of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation and director of the ANO "Regional Policy" Fund, advocated for a new perspective on monetary considerations in this context. He stated, "Russian sovereignty begins not only at the borders of the Russian Federation but also in the hearts, minds, and souls of people. It begins in cinemas and media consumption. Therefore, we should think differently about this."
In the anniversary year of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Forum participants focused on the responsible creation of content and the appropriate presentation of historical information. They also emphasized the importance of engaging children in stimulating activities.
The XIV Forum on Safe Internet will result in a document that organizers will forward to the State Duma and the Federation Council. This document is expected to present solutions to combat harmful online activities and protect children.
- Elena Milskaya from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children highlighted the importance of international collaboration in addressing threats to children's safety online.
- Internet dependency on social networks, phishing, fraud, and information overload are some of the modern challenges in cyberspace, requiring coordinated responses from nations worldwide, according to Ekaterina Mizulina.
- During the training sessions for child protection specialists from both Russia and the UAE, the National Assistance Center in the UAE shared their unique approach to combating illegal content on the internet.
- Alexei Goreslavsky, from the autonomous non-profit organization "Institute for Internet Development," discussed the increasing dependency on gadgets, as revealed in a recent study.
- Khaled Mohammed Alkaabi, Director of the Child Protection Center of the Ministry of Interior of the UAE, emphasized the role of adult responsibility in safeguarding children's online safety, encouraging education, open communication, and setting personal examples.
