The Internet is used by everyone in almost every aspect of life, so everyone must be aware of online safety. Safer Internet Day is a global initiative to raise awareness about online safety and encourage individuals especially children and young people to use the internet responsibly.
Safer Internet Day is Celebrated on the 2nd Tuesday of February each year and over 170 countries participate. Safer Internet Day was first observed in 2004 and has since grown into a global movement. It was initiated by the Safer Internet Centre Network, a consortium of organizations working together to promote online safety. “Inspiring Change? Make a difference, managing influence, and navigating change online” is the theme for Safer Internet Day 2024. Funded by the European Commission the initiative puts a special focus on the online safety of children and young people.
How to participate in Safer Internet Day?
1. Educate yourself regarding the online risks and safety measures.
2. Make Children and teenagers aware of cyberbullying.
3. Participate in the activities related to Safer Internet Day to learn about online safety.
4. Spread awareness using social media platforms by sharing posts and resources related to online safety.
5. Donate or volunteer with organizations dedicated to promoting online safety.
As our lives become more intertwined with the internet, the importance of online safety cannot be overstated. Here are a few ways to stay online and protect privacy,
1. Using a strong password to secure information or documents
2. Not using the same password for multiple sites
3. Enabling two-factor authentication
4. Being cautious of what information you share online
5. Keeping the privacy settings high and update them regularly
6. Deleting old social media accounts that you no longer use
The internet has been an amazing invention that has undoubtedly changed the world in more ways than we can imagine. Since much of our private lives and information get transferred over the internet, we should be cautious regarding online safety. Safer Internet Day reminds us to protect ourselves from the danger there and make the Internet a little safer for everyone.
Written By:
Rtr. Asriya Ameen
(Junior Blog Team Member 2023-24)
