Safer Internet Day: Let’s create a better internet together

When Safer Internet Day was launched more than a decade ago, smartphones were a rarity, GameBoy topped the console wish list and Facebook was a mere twinkle in Mark Zuckerberg’s eye. Things have moved on – often at breakneck speed – but the issues that SID raised back in the early noughties continue to resonate.
Now more than ever, digital technology is woven into the fabric of our lives. It helps to save us time, keep us connected and expand our knowledge. But its imperfections can’t be ignored, particularly when it comes to young people. What risks might they face when they go online? How can they protect their digital reputation? Has social media changed the friendships they have? As a parent, you probably ask yourself these kind of questions on a regular basis.
That’s where Safer Internet Day comes in. A global awareness campaign, it champions the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology by children and teenagers. On 10 February 2015, its organisers called on young people, parents, carers, teachers, social workers, law enforcement, companies, policymakers and others in more than 100 countries to help create a better internet together. It’s about supporting young people and helping them to build resilience so that they can enjoy the digital world and the myriad opportunities it offers.
The UK Safer Internet Centre – a partnership of three leading charities, Childnet, the South West Grid for Learning and the Internet Watch Foundation – organises Safer Internet Day in the UK.
As Childnet’s CEO Will Gardner, who spoke to Vodafone ahead of Safer Internet Day, comments:
