The “Tools for Modern Times” program is an initiative jointly launched by Hrvatski Telekom and the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation of the University of Zagreb. This preventive program, intended for seventh and eighth grade students, aims to empower children in the socio-emotional skills needed to navigate the modern digital environment.

OBJECTIVES AND STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM

The primary goal of the program is to prevent risky behaviors of children and adolescents in the virtual environment. The program is based on scientific principles and structured workshops that promote digital literacy, critical thinking and the development of positive online habits. Through 11 interactive workshops, students develop skills that help them face challenges in the real and virtual world.

Workshops are held once a week, lasting 45 minutes, and each one focuses on specific social-emotional skills. Students participate in creative and interactive activities, group discussions, role playing, quizzes and games. In addition, special lectures are organized for parents and members of the teacher’s council in order to better understand the new risks and to provide support to children and students.

EDUCATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

The program was designed and implemented by experts from the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation: Sanja Radić Bursać, Ana Rakić, Dora Dodig Hundrić, Sabina Mandić, Lucija Lamešić, Martina Lotar Rihtarić and project manager Neven Ricijaš. Since its beginning in 2018, the program has gone through three pilot implementations in Zagreb and Velika Gorica, in five different schools, which enabled scientific evaluation and modification of the program in order to achieve the desired effects.

In the 2023/2024 school year, the program was implemented in about 90 schools across Croatia, including about 2,700 children. The education of professional associates and teachers is a key part of the program, and is carried out through three-day courses organized by the Lifelong Learning Center of the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation. So far, six trainings have been held in Zagreb (2x), Osijek, Rijeka, Varaždin and Dubrovnik.

It is also important to emphasize that the program connects all subjects, i.e. “Tools for Modern Times” includes students, parents and educational staff. Professional collaborators, such as social pedagogues, psychologists and pedagogues, as well as teachers who have completed education, implement the program in schools.

INFLUENCE AND IMPORTANCE

In today’s digital age, where technology plays a key role in everyday life, a program like “Tools for Modern Times” is extremely important. According to research, 30% of students in Croatia use the Internet for more than four hours a day, and 50% of adolescents check social networks as soon as they receive a notification. Given this data, the program is designed to help children recognize the risks of the digital world and develop responsible online behavior.

Through the strengthening of social-emotional skills, students learn to deal with environmental pressures, make informed decisions and manage their emotions. This creates a safer and more stimulating environment for their growth and development, both in the digital and in the real world.

“Tools for Modern Times” represent a key step towards creating a better future for the young generation. The program, supported by the Education Agency and the Ministry of Science and Education, has the ambitious goal of covering all schools in Croatia and becoming part of the school curriculum. This initiative not only provides the necessary tools for children and young people to navigate safely in the digital world, but also educates adults so that they can adequately support young people in facing the challenges of modern times.