At a press conference on July 31, video blogging competition for children aged 6 to16 was announced. The International Vlog Contest, organized by Cartoon Network’s children’s TV channel and supported by the Bulgarian Safer Internet Center, aims to encourage children to develop and demonstrate their video blogging skills.
The contest will run from July 31st to September 19th and the best participant will become an official guest vlogger of the children’s TV channel. The competition can be attended by newcomers as well as anyone who dreams to be a vlogger.
The main aim of the competition is children to develop their creative potential, which not only reduces online risks but also encourages them to become active digital citizens and creators of their lives. That is why Bulgarian Safer Internet Centre is a partner in this initiative.
A national representative survey conducted by Bulgarian Safer Internet Centre among children aged 9 to 17 showed that although 80% of children report that they can create video content, in fact only 23% of them actually did it. (More about the study) At the same time, the opportunity for children to appear publicly affects extremely positive on their emotional and intellectual development. They could gain confidence in themselves and become more self-sufficient, which helps them to be more successful in their lives. At the same time, using the Internet for creative expression also sharply reduces the dangers that children face online.
The Vlog competition is supported by one of the most famous Bulgarian vloggers – Chris Zahariev. He will be the mentor of the beginners and will help them with tips on how to make their channel successful, how to develop their creative potential and how to avoid the traps the network puts in front of them.
Within a month and a half, children who join the competition with the consent of their parents will participate in challenges that will be announced on the official website of the competition. Video blogs can be uploaded to the site. The participant can also give the video’s YouTube URL if they already have a channel in this video-sharing platform. The website of the competition will contain tips and a step-by-step guide to creating interesting vlogs. Participants’ videos will be moderated and evaluated for wit and skills that children show in their videos. The participants have to take part in at least two challenges in order to qualify for the second (final) round.
After first 4 tasks, the jury will select the three best participants who will have the opportunity to participate in a video workshop with Chris Zahariev, and one of them will become the official visiting vlogger of Cartoon Network. The winner will be promoted to Cartoon Network’s Facebook and YouTube channels and they will receive information for all new TV channel projects from the source. They will be able then to inform their followers of interesting facts about making of the movies, the creators of the productions, and will give prizes to the most enthusiastic fans.
In order to develop their creative potential children should have a field for self-expression and be supported by parents and educators, experts from the Safer Internet Centre say.
