The document discusses the opportunities and challenges of internet use. It notes that while the internet provides many benefits to education, work, and economic growth, it also poses risks, especially for children and young people. While protection measures may help address some risks, reliance on protection alone is not effective - the best approach is to empower and educate users, especially youth, on how to avoid or manage internet risks. The document is divided into two units that examine young people in the virtual world and the challenges and risks they face online.

1. 6/10/23, 7:44 AM Module 7: Internet Opportunities and Challenges
unesco.mil-for-teachers.unaoc.org/modules/module-7/ 1/4
LANGUAGES
Home / Modules / Module 7: Internet Opportunities and Challenges
Module 7: Internet Opportunities and Challenges
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
Taking part in the information society is essential for citizens of all age groups. The Internet provides great opportunities to
improve life for all users. It has positive effects on education, the working world and economic growth. With easy digitalization and
storage of information, and accessibility through a wide range of devices, the Internet has enormously increased the information
resources available to people. Children and young people are often well acquainted with its applications and can benefit from its
use tremendously, but they are also vulnerable. Risks and threats accompany this positive development, often in parallel to those
that already exist in the offline world.
Taking measures to protect minors may help address the problem. As helpful as these measures might be, however, total reliance
on protection strategies has not been effective in enabling young people to use the Internet responsibly. The best way to help them
stay out of harm’s way is to empower and educate them on how to avoid or manage risks related to Internet use. Technologies can
play a useful and supportive role in this area, especially where children and young people are concerned.
English
Home Introduction Modules Resources Submit a Resource

2. 6/10/23, 7:44 AM Module 7: Internet Opportunities and Challenges
unesco.mil-for-teachers.unaoc.org/modules/module-7/ 2/4
Unit 1: Young People in the
Unit 1: Young People in the
Virtual World
Virtual World
Unit 2: Challenges and
Unit 2: Challenges and
Risks in the Virtual World
Risks in the Virtual World
MODULES
MODULES

3. 6/10/23, 7:44 AM Module 7: Internet Opportunities and Challenges
unesco.mil-for-teachers.unaoc.org/modules/module-7/ 3/4

4. 6/10/23, 7:44 AM Module 7: Internet Opportunities and Challenges
unesco.mil-for-teachers.unaoc.org/modules/module-7/ 4/4
COPYRIGHT © 2023 UNITED NATIONS ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS (UNAOC) UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION (UNESCO)
 