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You’re probably wondering, as I am, what Safer Internet day is?
Safer Internet Day (SID) is an EU-wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. It is promoted in Ireland by the PDST Technology in Education and Webwise.
The theme for Safer Internet Day is “Together for a Better Internet“. Last year almost 145,000 people in Ireland celebrated Safer Internet Day 2019.
What started as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 was taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic origins to now be celebrated in approximately 150 countries worldwide.
The Webwise site is a great place to find resources for classrooms and other groups to learn how to be more mindful of their online behaviour.
Given that 91% of all Irish households have internet access and 99% of households with 2 adults and children are going online, it’s more important than ever that we cultivate a culture of sensible online precaution. Learn more with this useful link.
While a lot of the initiative is geared towards protecting youngsters, the importance of online safety and security is a less for all age groups.
Given that the Safer Internet Centre has concluded that online life is a ‘fundamental’ part of a young person’s existence in 2020, the lessons of today are crucial. ‘Almost half (49%) of young people aged 8-17 said that what they do and see online contributes to their identity, making up an essential part of who they are offline. 54% admit they would feel lost, confused, or as if they’d lost a part of themselves if their online accounts were taken away. 38% said it was easier to be themselves online than offline, seeing it as a safe space to explore and grow’.
Let us know what you do to feel safe online in the comments!
