Member News
8th February 2011
Following the opening of the UK's very own Safer Internet Centre, we talk to Will Gardner, chief executive of Childnet International, about its activities for ‘Safer Internet Day'
What is 'Safer Internet Day'?
'Safer Internet Day', February 8 2011, is a fantastic opportunity to recognise the importance of the internet in the lives of children and young people.
It is a day to re-focus on ensuring that those who support children, parents, carers, grandparents, teachers, know how to get the most out of this resource and use it safely and responsibly.
The focus this year, particularly in the UK, is on online games as well as communicating the wider message that online actions can have offline consequences, both now and in the future.
'Safer Internet Day' is now in its eighth year and is celebrated in over 65 countries worldwide.
How is Childnet involved in 'Safer Internet Day'?
Childnet, along with the Internet Watch Foundation and South West Grid for Learning, form the new Safer Internet Centre for the UK, which is co-funded by the European Commission.
As the Safer Internet Centre, we have developed a new website www.saferinternet.org.uk, hosting a range of information on internet safety, and new teaching resources designed for schools to use for 'Safer Internet Day'.
This website is the portal for 'Safer Internet Day' information and shows the activities and events that are happening across the UK to promote 'Safer Internet Day', as well as initiatives by other partners including the internet industry.
On 'Safer Internet Day' itself, Childnet is hosting a young people's symposium at Microsoft's London offices. Forty 15 to 18 year-olds from across the UK will be inspired to think creatively about the internet safety needs of their age group, pitching their ideas for communicating their chosen key safety messages to their peers, to a panel of experts.
Why have you chosen to work directly with young people?
Talking with and listening to young people, about their real online experiences, is central to our work. It is really important to ensure that their concerns are addressed in the safety advice that we produce, and we are looking forward to hearing their thoughts on what affects their age group.
What are your key messages for 'Safer Internet Day'?
We would encourage parents and carers to understand what it is that their children and young people are doing and enjoy doing online. The internet offers all users many fantastic opportunities and we want to continue to empower parents and carers to support their children's online activities.
The UK's Safer Internet Centre is also encouraging internet users to think about the consequences of their online actions, with a particular focus on gaming. We know from research that gaming is now more popular than social networking, with 83 per cent of 9-16 year-olds online using the internet to play games.
We are a promoting a positive message and highlighting the enjoyment that games can bring. But there is a significant need for both parents and children to apply online safety thinking to games, as children can still face potential risks such as privacy invasion and exposure to inappropriate material in this environment. We are launching a new leaflet for parents giving advice on online gaming for 'Safer Internet Day', which can be downloaded free at the www.saferinternet.org.uk.
Are there any other activities being organised to celebrate Safer Internet Day?
Partners across the UK have been encouraged to promote their 'Safer Internet Day' activities on the Safer Internet Centre website, and the organisations involved include many schools across the country.
For the first time, the Safer Internet Centre is organising a 12-hour interactive radio programme for 'Safer Internet Day', bringing together a range of speakers including Professor Tanya Byron, Lord Richard Allan and Professor Sonia Livingstone.
Article Comments
I'd no idea this org had been active for 8 years, and I sincerely hope they succeed in keeping our children safe from the few predators out there who disrupt everyone's lives by attempting to interfere with us in a manner that's unwanted, asocial and occasionally criminal.
We need to keep the internet as open and accessible as possible without permitting these evil people to interact with children and unfortunately the main method to achieve child safety online is indeed parental supervision first, then law enforcement when necessary.
However, I sincerely hope we don't get to the stage where censorship of the internet adversely affects true and proper freedom of speech, freedom to share, and the right to protect our privacy online. There must be a decent, fair and reasonable balance.
Rob
8th Feb 2011 at 9:55 am
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