The European Commission Representation in Bulgaria has officially launched the educational animated series "Mila and Marko on the Screens!". As stated by Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the EC Representation in the country, during the opening, the project's primary mission is to teach children to recognize dangers in the digital environment from an early age and to acquire the skills to protect themselves.
Chobanova noted that the online space is a place where children learn, play, and communicate, but they often encounter content they are not prepared for. She added that while the parental instinct is to forbid actions such as talking to strangers or blind trust on the internet, it is, in reality, impossible to be present for every click a child makes. Since concepts like "digital risk" or "data protection" are difficult to explain to children, the series uses a story with characters who encounter risky situations, make mistakes, and subsequently learn to correct them themselves.
The series is set to become an effective educational tool. Chobanova called on teachers to integrate the episodes into the educational process by pausing them at key moments to encourage children to debate, argue, and share whether they themselves have encountered similar circumstances. According to her, the most significant part of the process begins after the final credits, when an open dialogue is initiated. The goal is to use these films to build the necessary trust, pass on the experience of parents and teachers, and help children become more capable and resilient.
The project was implemented in collaboration with Zmei Studio and the Coalition for Media Literacy. The EC supports the studio with enthusiasm, as they possess the ability to adapt complex technical rules into the language of adventure and play, while reflecting the real-world issues faced by Bulgarian children. Through the collaboration with the Coalition, the most common challenges facing adolescents have been included.
Chobanova reminded that Europe is actively creating legislative frameworks for protection in the digital sphere and obligating online platforms to limit risks, as the responsibility cannot lie solely with parents and educators. Along with this, there is a strategy for a "better internet for kids," which aims to build knowledge and navigation skills. "This is where major European policies meet small, cute stories like that of Mila and Marko," she concluded.