Celebrate Safer Internet Day – Feb. 9, 2010
Ins@fe organizes Safer Internet Day each February to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and cell phones. Emphasis is placed on children and teen use of today’s e-communication devices. This year’s educational campaign is called “Think B4 U Post.”
Young people don’t always realize that the personal information they post remains online and may be accessed by anyone, including their parents, teachers, future employers and predators. Innocent pictures can be easily displayed in a completely different context, leading to embarrassment, or even bullying. Because of the digital nature of the photos, they can be cut, pasted, altered or distorted.
Teens and younger children need to be empowered to manage their online identity. They can use privacy settings offered by social networking sites, select online friends that they trust, publish their own photos after considering potential consequences, and of their friends only with their permission.
Ins@fe is a European network of Awareness Centers promoting online safety and responsible Internet use by young people. Safer Internet Day was celebrated in 2009 through 500 events in 50 countries. For 2010 activities, take a look at: www.saferinternetday.org
