Safer Internet Day 2012

Safer Internet Day (SID) is celebrated today in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Organized in February of each year, the Day aims to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world.

In Europe the Day is coordinated byInsafe (a European network of Awareness Centres promoting safe, responsible use of the Internet and mobile devices to young people).

From cyber bullying to social networking, each year Insafe aims to be at the forefront of emerging online issues and chooses a topic reflecting current concerns.

Safer Internet Day 2012’s theme is: “Connecting generations and educating each other”, in order to encourage people of all ages, from very young children to parents and grandparents, to  “discover the digital world together…safely!”. The “Connecting Generations” topic looks at the reach of the online world across all generations and cultures and encourages families  to work together to stay safe online. Tech-savvy youngsters can teach older generations how to use new technologies, while parents and grandparents draw on their life experiences to advise younger generations on how to stay safe online.

Over the years Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Insafe, that runs the Day, is a network of 30 Safer Internet Centers  funded by the Commission through the Safer Internet Programme in 30 European countries. There is a Safer Internet Centre in each of the 27 Member States, as well as in Iceland, Norway and Russia. Most Safer Internet Centers are composed of an awareness centre, helpline, hotline and youth panel. The help lines offer information and advice to children, young people, parents and teachers about how to stay safe online.  

However, Safer Internet Day is also celebrated outside Europe. In 2009, the concept of Safer Internet Day Committees was introduced, to strengthen the bonds with countries outside the network and invest in a harmonised promotion of the campaign across the world. There are around 30 committees working closely with the Insafe coordination team, which is based at the heart of the European Union in Brussels.

To read more: http://www.saferinternetday.org