Talking about online safety this Safer Internet Day

Talking about online safety this Safer Internet Day

Talking about online safety this Safer Internet Day

The internet is an important part of many young people’s lives, from school work to games, the online world is where a lot of young people are spending their time.

 

Safer Internet Day provides a key moment when children and young people can take the lead in making the internet a better place and when families and schools can spark conversations about these issues and encourage children to speak up about any worries they may have.

 

What is Safer Internet Day?

Safer Internet Day 2018 will be celebrated globally on Tuesday 6th February 2018 with the theme “Create, Connect and Share Respect: A better internet starts with you”.

 

Coordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre (www.saferinternetday.org.uk), Safer Internet Day sees thousands of people across the UK get involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.

 

From Snapchat streaks to Instagram Live – children’s technology landscape continues to shift. Empowering children to use technology safely and responsibly is essential now, and will become even more important as new trends and issues emerge and the need to better understand children’s mental health in this new context takes prominence.
The UK Safer Internet Centre speaks to thousands of children and young people every year about their technology use and every day they see changes and new trends emerge, bringing both risks and opportunities.

Since the launch of services like YouTube Live and Instagram Live in 2016, the growing popularity of livestreaming has placed additional demands on young people who need to make good decisions about what live video they should broadcast to their followers. Research from the UK Safer internet Centre, published last year, found that Instagram Live is the most popular service among young people, with 11% of 8-17 year olds using this to ‘go live’. In this research young people explained how they live broadcast throughout their daily life, whether it’s while doing their homework or at a sleepover.

From livestreaming their lives to increasing their ‘Snapchat streaks’, technology continues to change friendship dynamics. For young people today, their ‘Streak’ – or the number of consecutive days they have sent a Snap to a friend – signifies how close they are to their friends and can bring new pressures and insecurities.
Technology embedded in children’s lives can affect their wellbeing and mental health. To support children in this space we need to ensure they both know how to recognise and avoid risks, but also how to promote their wellbeing and establish a healthy relationship with technology.

How parents and carers can help
Safer Internet Day provides a good opportunity to engage with children about their digital lives.

Find a range of advice and support at www.saferinternet.org.uk/parents, including conversation starters, activities for your family and information about safety features on the most popular platforms and devices.

1. Be engaged: Talk regularly with your children about how they use technology, offer your advice and support and find fun opportunities to use technology together.
2. Be aware: Learn more about the platforms your children use and the safety features available. You could always ask your child to show you what they like to use.
3. Be there: The most important thing is to ensure that your child knows you are there if something does go wrong. Your child might be worried to discuss the issue they are facing so reassure them that they can turn to you no matter what.

A better internet starts with you
The Safer Internet Day theme this year sums it up – a better internet begins with each and every one of us, whether it’s a parent regularly engaging with their children’s digital lives, a teacher championing online safety in school, a child who doesn’t stand by when they see cyberbullying, or a tech company that takes time to listen to children’s needs.

We all have a responsibility to make the internet a better place. Be part of the change on 6th February 2018.

*Written and supplied by the UK Safer Internet Centre

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