The EU funded project “Preventing children from becoming victims of sexual abuse online” in Estonia helps children to develop skills to navigate the digital world safely and confidently, using tools like an illustrated book, a board game, and training for educators and law enforcement.
The project has developed a first screen-free digital literacy kit, including the illustrated book Suur digiseiklus (The Great Digital Adventure). The book stands out as a fun and imaginative way for children to learn about online safety through stories and characters that feel close to their everyday lives. The book turns familiar digital situations like gaming, chatting, and sharing content into engaging adventures that children can easily relate to. Its playful approach helps them understand online safety, while keeping the experience entertaining and accessible.
The Great Digital Adventure Kit is available in every Estonian kindergarten with preschool groups, and the book is in 324 schools (which represent 93% of all primary schools) and 78 youth centers across Estonia.
Beyond classroom materials, the initiative provides a training for educators and law enforcement. For instance, Estonian police officers had a specialised training, which included study visits to Finland and Denmark to exchange best practices on investigating cybercrimes involving minors. So far, 77 police officers have completed the training, and 40 police officers will be trained later this year.
The initiative also created a board game with which children can reinforce what they learned in the book.
More activities are planned, such as trainings for teachers across Estonia and events where children learn digital safety through games and workshops.
Led by the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board in partnership with the Estonian Union for Child Welfare, the initiative addresses online threats such as cyberbullying, grooming, and exposure to harmful content. The project aims to strengthen digital resilience and promote safer online experiences through targeted support for children, parents, and teachers.
Before launching the initiative, Estonia commissioned a Kantor Emor (2023-2024) study to assess online risks for children and identify gaps in parental awareness. The findings show that 80% of parents see cyberbullying as a major concern and 74% consider sexual abuse as a high risk.
Project Information
Country: Estonia
Duration: 2023-2027
Total budget: EUR 750,000
Fund: Internal Security Fund (ISF) and national co-financing
Project website: Eesti laste digiturvalisuse projekt – Suur digiseiklus
