Breaking Barriers, an educational opportunity for informed teachers
Private networks, dark web, deep web: terms that are increasingly common among students, accompanied by myths, curiosity and fears. But what really lies in the “hidden levels” of the internet? And how can we help the younger generation to navigate with greater awareness, critical thinking and a sense of responsibility?
In the latest instalment of the Breaking Barriers project, we debunk false myths and learn to distinguish between useful privacy tools (such as VPNs) and risky or illegal digital spaces (such as certain areas of the dark web). Led by trainer Roberto Raspa, we explore how to address these issues in the classroom with a rigorous and up-to-date educational approach.
An urgent issue for teachers
In an age where technology permeates every aspect of daily life, we need teachers who can provide authoritative guidance in the digital world. Despite increased participation by Italian teachers in training courses on the use of digital technologies and innovative teaching methods (MIM, Osservatorio scuola digitale, 2024), there is still a lack of preparation. According to the latest Eurydice report (Teachers in Europe. Careers, Development and Well-being), only a fraction of teachers say they are fully prepared to effectively integrate digital technology into their daily teaching. In particular, issues related to digital citizenship, online safety and the critical use of technology are among those for which teachers report the greatest need for training. On issues such as cybersecurity, digital identity and risky behaviour, many teachers say they need specific training and practical tools. The next webinar has been co-designed with our experts and the teaching community to respond to this need, offering clear, reliable content that can be immediately applied in educational practice.
A webinar to
- Distinguish between privacy protection tools, such as Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and dangerous or illegal digital environments
- Debunk myths and fake news about the deep web and dark web
- Offer concrete tools to protect and empower students
- Strengthen our educational authority
Details of the meeting
- Title: The dark side of the Internet: VPNs, the dark web and the deep web
- Trainer: Roberto Raspa
- Date and time: 17 June 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Format: online, live
- Registration: online form
Join us
By participating, you will contribute to building a school that knows how to navigate the complexities of the internet, educates students about digital responsibility and guides young people towards a more informed future. We look forward to seeing you there!
A reminder of current events
In recent months, the news has reminded us of the urgent need for digital citizenship education: thanks to a complex international synergy, the State Police, with Operation Stream, dismantled Kidflix, a dark web platform that distributed content related to child sexual exploitation. Between April 2022 and March 2025, the platform registered 1.8 million users worldwide. This action highlights the need to better understand the hidden risks of the internet and to provide young people with the tools to recognise and protect themselves [read the article].
We remind all teachers that in order to receive the certificate of participation, they must complete an evaluation questionnaire on the FMD Academy website in the section dedicated to the Breaking Barriers project.
