Today is Safer Internet Day
Here at ReadWriteWeb, we encourage safer Internet use. We try to bring you the stories that help you navigate the World Wide Interwebs.
So we wanted to make sure you know that today is Safer Internet Day, and it's meant especially for children and young people. Past Safer Internet Day themes have focused on cyberbullying and social networking. This year's very apropos topic is "connecting generations." How do we make sure everyone on the Internet - from young kids to grandparents - feel safe?
Safer Internet Day began as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004. Today more than 70 countries worldwide on six of the seven continents participate. Take a look at the map after the jump.
91% off Gen-Y'ers surveyed say that they have used the Internet in the bathroom from their mobile phones. Acts that take place in the bathroom are not exactly social - yet people are connecting to others from that private space. People use the Internet from their mobile phones less as the ages go up; only 41% of Internet users in the silent generation use their phones in the bathroom. From this study, one could infer that people who use the Internet less are safer - not so. Young people and older people are both vulnerable when it comes to the Internet.
This is exactly why Safer Internet Day is of vast importance.
In 1999, the European Commission created the Safer Internet Programme. Today, the Insafe network has set-up 30 Safer Internet Centres, one in each of the 27 EU states, in addition to Iceland, Norway and Russia. These Safer Internet Centers have an awareness center, helpline, hotline and youth panel.
Internet Safety Facts and Stats
Safer Internet Day has also released some interesting facts about European Internet user experience and safety. Take a look:
- 26% of kids have a social networking profile
- 12% of European 9-16 year-olds say that something they saw on the Internet has bothered them
- 56% of parents whose kids received mean messages online had no idea that this had happened
- 1 in 8 parents do not mediate their kids' Internet use
- 36% of 9-16 year-olds say that they know about the Internet than their parents
- 87% of kids use the Internet at home
- 48% of parents get online safety advice mostly from friends and family
- 63% of kids say they get online safety advice from their parents
Kids need to know about how to stay safe online - but if kids are coming to parents before teachers, relatives and peers, it is parents' responsibility to know how to stay safe online.
To find out how you can participate in Safer Internet Day, go here: http://www.saferinternetday.org/web/guest/sid-2012
If you don't have a national contact point, email the SID helpdesk at SID-helpdesk@eun.org. They can help you create your own.
Are you a parent of an Internet-using kid? Share your experience about Internet safety in the comments.
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