It’s Time To Play Your Part For A Better Internet
It’s Safer Internet Day next Tuesday and it will see nearly 1,000 businesses, schools, charities and other organisations in the UK join forces with a common goal of promoting the responsible and positive use of digital technology.
This international event, which has been observed each year since 2008 pm second day of the second week of the second month, is recognised in more than 100 countries.
Its key focus is making the internet safe for children and young people, but it is a useful reminder for us all of the safety and security risks posed by our use of the information superhighway.
Each year, the day has a theme.
For 2016, it is ‘play your part for a better internet.’
It asks us all to consider the responsibility we share to help create a kinder, more inclusive online community.
In light of the escalating levels of trolling o social media, the choice is timely.
The internet is transforming young people’s lives by putting information and entertainment at their fingertips on a wide range of devices, but it also has a dark side.
A survey by the anti-bullying charity Ditch The Label indicated that 54% of the young people using Facebook had experienced bullying on the network, as had 28% of young people using Twitter.
Overall, an estimated 5.43 million young people in the UK have experienced cyberbullying, with 1.26 million exposed to routine online harassment, sufficient to erode their self-esteem, on a daily basis.
The website, www.saferinternet.org.uk has more information, advice and a range of resources, not to mention an informative online quiz, for anyone who wants to know more and play their part.
