Broadband News

Today is Safer Internet Day 2012

Tuesday 7 February, 2012

By Duncan Heaney

Parents, schools and children encouraged to work together to improve online safety.

Today marks the 9th annual Safer Internet Day (SID), organised by the EU-supported awareness group Insafe. The event highlights the dangers the internet poses for kids and teenagers, and encourages schools and businesses to find ways to make a safer online environment.

SID was created in 2004, emerging from the EU’s Safer Internet Programme. Since then, it’s expanded beyond Europe - it’s now acknowledged and supported in more than 70 countries across six of the world’s seven continents.

The theme of this year’s SID is “Connecting Generations”. It looks at how the internet reaches across multiple age groups and cultures, and asks people to consider how families can work together to stay safe online. Essentially, it’s all about sharing - parents, children and grandparents are encouraged to discuss the internet, and pass knowledge to each other to find out how they can keep safe.

Insafe has created a range of resources to tie into SID. These include lesson plans about online safety, advice for parents and guardians, and various learning materials. There’s an emphasis on collaboration, with lots of plans for workshops, assemblies and games.

Marc Durando, director of Insafe’s co-ordinator European Schoolnet, explained the importance of the campaign: “We are delighted that Safer Internet Day has become so successful over the years and reaches so many people across the world. Learning to be safe online is one of the prerequisites to developing eSkills and these are essential for many aspects of our children’s lives today.”

Neelie Kroes, patron of Safer Internet Day, and the European Digital Agenda Commissioner, said: “The Internet is one of the best places for kids to be. You can socialise, play, learn and create - and a world of information and opportunity is just a few clicks away.

“I want everyone - parents, teachers, children, NGOs and policy makers - to work together, so all kids' online experiences are positive ones. So, wherever you are, however you are taking part in Safer Internet Day, I wish you the best of luck today, and in the future.”