GENERAL INFORMATION AND INFORMED CONSENT FORM

                                  FOR CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS OLD


Thank you for considering your participation in our survey! Your cooperation is greatly appreciated
and will be important for the ySKILLS project.

What is ySKILLS project?

ySKILLS is a four-year international project running under Horizon 2020 research programme. Our
goal is to better understand the use of internet and technologies by young people and to understand
what digital skills are important to be safe online and to benefit from opportunities on the
internet.

What will happen if I take part in this survey?

Participation in this survey involves filling out an online questionnaire that will enquire about
your experience with the use of technology, internet, and about potential risks connected with
this. For example, some of the risks on the internet might be cyberaggression, receiving sexual
content, or seeing inappropriate contents on the internet. Because we want to understand the
changes and development of digital skills and online experiences of young people, we want to give
you a similar questionnaire again in the following two years - specifically, you will get a
questionnaire in Spring 2021, 2022 and 2023.

How long will it take?

Filling out the questionnaire takes about 45 minutes and there will be a trained professional who
will explain how to fill it out.

Can I change my mind about taking part in the survey?

Of course! At any point, you can decide that you do not want to take part in the survey anymore. Be
reassured that this is okay and there will be no negative consequences for this.

Should I prepare for the survey in advance?

There is nothing to prepare in advance, only pen and a blank piece of paper, and you will not be
ranked based on the survey in any way.

Is the survey anonymous?

Yes, all data will be anonymized and therefore cannot be connected directly to you. This means no
one (for example your parents, teachers, or classmates) will be able to link your answers in the
questionnaire to you.

How will the anonymization be done?

Because the survey includes three data collections within the time span of two years, we need to
link your answers across these three questionnaires. Therefore, you will not sign the questionnaire
with your name, since the answers will be anonymous, but instead you will be given a code or a
nickname that you will sign the questionnaire with. With this code we will be able to link the
questionnaires from the three data collections, but we will not be able to know who filled it out.

Are there any risks in taking part in this survey?

We do not anticipate any obvious risks or disadvantages of participation in this survey. It is
however possible that some questions might be uncomfortable to answer. However, you do not have to
answer the questions if you don´t want to. With any questions or comments about the survey, you can
always turn to the administrator. You can also turn to your teacher, or school advisor for answers
or support.

Can I find out more information about the survey?

If you have any questions or concerns about the research, please feel free to contact the ySKILLS
coordinator XXX on this email address XXX@xx.com or on this phone number XXX.


                                         Informed Consent


We would kindly ask you to read the following information carefully. Please note that by signing
this document you confirm that you understand and agree to the following:

·         I have read the information sheet for this study and fully understood its content.

·         I consent with my participation this research project.

·         I understand that participation in this project is voluntary and that it is possible to
withdraw from participation at any time.

If you agree with the content, please provide us with your signature at the bottom of this form,
add a date and return it to us via email to XXX@xx.com).


My name (Please write your name clearly): ____________________________________________________

Date: _______________________________


My signature: _____________________________________