Brussels, 10/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - The 11th Safer Internet Forum took place on 6-7 November in Brussels. The forum theme was “Growing up Digitally” and participants included Roberto Viola, the deputy director-general of the European Commission's DG Connect. More than 250 people took part in the event, including representatives from youth organisations in 31 different countries. Together, they discussed the latest trends in child protection on the Internet. This year the forum also examined access to high quality and safe content on the Internet for children of all ages. Several work sessions were organised on themes such as Internet access for very young children, apps, young people's online creativity and expression. Youth representatives also exchanged their point of view on how the Internet should develop, as well as new technologies for children and how these can influence their lives and behaviour. Janice Richardson, the forum coordinator, said that they needed to ensure that young people born in the digital age could use the full potential of digital technologies, which was a shared responsibility. She added that the Safer Internet Forum was the ideal place to discuss this issue with the different stakeholders, such as teachers and trainers, young people, parents, civil society, government representatives and industry. The Safer Internet Forum has been organised by the European Commission since 2004, as part of the Safer Internet programme. The aim of the latter is to ensure a safe online framework for children and to promote initiatives for the industry's self-regulation and international cooperation. (IL)