The project aimed to improve adults’ and adult educators’ competences in Social Media Literacy and Internet Safety through innovative and accessible digital resources. Its objectives were to develop a coherent set of competencies aligned with EU frameworks, create an online platform with a comprehensive digital database and blended-learning course, and provide educators with practical tools to address online risks with families. The project also sought to produce Guidelines and Recommendations to support transferability and replication of the IPAD’s tools and approaches, pilot all resources with adult educators and learners, and ensure strong dissemination and long-term exploitation of IPAD results. Ultimately, the project intended to empower adults to participate more safely and critically in digital society and to protect children and young people from online dangers.
The project was developed in response to a growing need for adults, families and educators to strengthen their skills in Social Media Literacy and Internet Safety. Across Europe, many adults struggle to understand online risks, misinformation, privacy issues and the digital behaviour of younger generations. This gap creates vulnerability, increases exposure to harmful content, and widens the intergenerational digital divide. Adult educators and community organisations also reported a lack of accessible, high-quality digital resources to support families in navigating online environments safely and critically. The project was therefore designed to address these needs by providing an integrated set of tools, resources and methods that help adults develop safer online habits, strengthen critical thinking, and better support children and young people in a rapidly changing digital society.