SAFECLICK, A FREE EDUCATIONAL GAME THAT TEACHES CHILDREN HOW TO STAY SAFE ONLINE

How can children recognize dangerous messages, avoid online scams, or respond to cyberbullying? A free educational video game called SafeClick, developed by the informal group Digital Inclusion Initiative BiH, helps young users find the answers.

PHOTO: Ustupljena fotografija

Through fun and interactive activities, the game teaches children how to identify potential online threats and make safer decisions in the digital world.

MEET SOL THE OWL – A GUIDE TO ONLINE SAFETY

The game's main character, Sol the owl, guides children through 42 everyday situations, asking one simple question: Is this message safe?

From strangers requesting personal information or photos to fake prize offers, suspicious links, and cyberbullying, children learn how to recognize risks and respond appropriately.

If they make a mistake, there are no penalties or lost points. Instead, Sol explains why a particular situation might be dangerous and encourages them to try again.

THE GOAL IS AWARENESS, NOT FEAR

One of SafeClick's unique features is that not every message represents a threat. Approximately one in five messages is completely harmless, such as a friendly text from a classmate or parent.

"If we had included only dangerous messages, children would learn that every message is a threat," explains Stefan Filipović from Digital Inclusion Initiative BiH.

"The goal isn't to make children afraid of their phones, but to help them understand and evaluate what they see."

ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

SafeClick was designed with accessibility in mind, making it suitable for children with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities, as well as younger children who are still developing their reading skills.

A recorded voice reads each message aloud, while text size, fonts, and animations can be adjusted to meet individual needs.

Parents can also monitor their children's progress and assess how well they recognize and respond to potential online dangers.

FREE, AD-FREE AND AVAILABLE OFFLINE

The game includes 42 interactive situations, 15 questions, and five short educational stories.

SafeClick is available for Android, iPhone, and iPad devices and can be played without an internet connection.

It is completely free, contains no advertisements or in-app purchases, and does not collect personal data.

SafeClick was developed through the Regional Support Mechanism EECA project, implemented by the Metamorphosis Foundation and TechSoup in partnership with CIVICUS, as part of the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI).

By combining education with entertainment, SafeClick helps children develop essential digital skills, recognize online risks, and understand that asking for help is always a smart and courageous choice.