Safe Internet heroes an immediate hit with young Poles 10 March 2005 Safer Internet Day in Poland this year saw the launch of SIECIAKI, an innovative Internet project focusing on educating children and teenagers to use the Internet safely.

It has been an immediate hit with young Poles.  Over 1000 users registered during the first 10 hours. Until now the number of kids registered has reached 5000.

The key to success has been the attractive design of the website and the interactive aspect.  SIACIAKI offers the possibility to download one of two cartoon characters onto the desktop.

The characters can perform several actions like walking, running, and dancing. Website administrators can communicate with the children through the character and offer tips and tasks related to safe use of the Internet.

By submitting a correct answer children get points that can be exchanged in a virtual shop for products such as games, MP3 files, and desktop wallpaper. By accumulating points the users reach higher levels of the SIECIAKI project.

One of the innovative elements of the SIECIAKI project is a new system of certified websites for children. Volunteers rate the websites according to set criteria and those that pass are awarded a certificate and included in a special catalogue of child-friendly pages.

The project will be widely promoted among children. The most popular Polish hip-hop artists are preparing a single promoting SIECIAKI, that will be played by various radio and TV stations. Furthermore a series of cartoons with SIECIAKI as protagonists will be developed.

The SIECIAKI project was developed by the Nobody’s Children Foundation and the Interactive Marketing Partner in cooperation with kids’ television Jetix and educational portal Polska.pl.