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Safer Internet Day 2012

Safer Internet Day is part of a global drive to promote a safer Internet for children and young people. On Tuesday 7th February, the 9th edition of Safer Internet Day will be celebrated in more than 70 countries world wide, and across 6 continents. This event is run by the Safer Internet Centres funded by the Commission through the Safer Internet Programme in 30 European countries.

"Discover the digital world together…safely!" - 7 February 2012

This year Safer Internet Day will be centered on the theme Connecting Generations and educating each other. Safer Internet Day is organized under the patronage of Vice-President Neelie Kroes in charge of the Digital Agenda.

About Connecting Generations

This topic looks at the reach of the online world across all generations and cultures and encourages families to work together to stay safe online. Whether you are 5, 40 or 75 years old, whether you use the internet once a month or several times a day - each person has something different to bring to the table that can help shape our online experiences and our understanding of online competences and safety. We all have a role to play in ensuring that every child is safe online.

Today our offline and online worlds are strongly connected, from families communicating via webcam with relatives and friends abroad to children doing their homework online. The online world is a unique arena where people of all ages can learn together and from each other, especially regarding online safety. Tech savvy youngsters can teach their elders how to use new technologies, while grandparents can draw on their life experiences to advise younger generations on how to stay safe online, as they discover the digital world together.

Find out more about Safer Internet Day 2012

Watch Vice-President Kroes' videomessage for Safer Internet Day

6 key tips to help your child use the internet safely

TALK ABOUT THE INTERNET and dedicate time to explore it together with your child. Ask your child to show you what they like to do online, and try not to be shocked or overreact if you do not share the same interests.
STIMULATE YOUR CHILD'S CREATIVITY. Point them in the direction of the best online content to explore for their development or just for fun). Your child can learn and discover new sites, play games, write blogs, create websites. Stretch his or her imagination.
SET UP RULES or BOUNDARIES TOGETHER. When\Where\Why and for how long can your child use their mobile phone or computer? If you listen to your child and establish fair rules, then he or she is more likely to stick to them.
PROTECT PERSONAL DATA and help your child understand that information or photos they put online can remain visible to everybody forever. Help him to set up the highest level of privacy settings on social networks.
THINK ABOUT USING PARENTAL CONTROL TOOLS to automatically filter certain topics (e.g. violence, porn) and limit the time your child will be able to navigate the web.
AVOID HAVING A COMPUTER IN YOUR CHILD'S BEDROOM. Put it in the living room instead. It will make it easier to follow your child's web-surfing habits on a daily basis.