Brussels, 20/06/2011 (Agence Europe) - Neelie Kroes, the commissioner for the digital agenda, awarded prizes on 17 June to the best creations of online content, smart games, interactive online magazines or websites aimed at children under the age of 12. The Commission, in association with the safer internet centres of 14 countries, received 780 projects in response to its competition for the European Award for Best Children's Online Content, which aims to encourage the creation of high-quality content and highlight the opportunities available to children in terms of online content. This first competition was open to young people and adults alike, as well as NGOs and public and private-sector bodies. Three winners received prizes in each of the two categories (young people and adults). The winners are from Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Poland. “I am pleased to see that many teenagers seized the challenge to create suitable content for their young peers. I hope more adults and businesses will ensure that their content makes the internet a richer and more welcoming place for children”, said Kroes. Later this year, the Commission will launch a new initiative to help make the internet a safer place, while empowering young people to learn their rights and responsibilities online and make the most of new technologies while respecting themselves and others. The Commission will also continue to stimulate the growth and visibility of good quality content online for children, promoting language and cultural diversity and helping parents and teachers to gain confidence in the benefits of new technologies for children. The best children's online content competition was launched in October 2010. It ran simultaneously in Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Slovenia from November 2010 to April 2011. (I.L./transl.fl)