How we can create a better internet

Today on 10 February, 2015 we are celebrating Safer Internet Day across the globe. The Safer Internet Day (SID) was initiated by European Commission and in time embraced by the whole world. It is observed on second day of second week of month every year to promote a safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially among children and young people across the world. 2015 is the twelfth edition of the event. This year’s call to action is, “Let’s Create a Better internet Together”

The day offers the opportunity to focus on both the creative things that children and young people are doing online, as well as the role and responsibility that all stakeholders have in helping to create a better internet.

Children and young people can help to create a better internet by being kind and respectful to others online and seeking positive and safe opportunities to create, engage and share online.

Parents and carers can help to create a better internet by maintaining an open and honest dialogue with their children about their online lives, supporting them with their online activity (as appropriate to their age), particularly any concerns and issues, and seeking out positive opportunities to share with their children online. They can help to respond to the negative by modelling positive online behaviours themselves, and by also reporting any inappropriate or illegal content they find.

Educators and social care workers can help to empower children and young people to embrace the positive by equipping them with the digital literacy skills they require for today’s world, and giving them opportunities to use – and create – positive content online. They can help to respond to the negative by supporting youngsters if they encounter problems online, and by giving them the confidence and skills to seek help from others.

Industry has a role to play by creating – and promoting – positive content and services online. They can empower users to respond to the negative by ensuring that there are the right tools for users, that there are clear channels and transparent procedures for reporting and quick and easy access to support if things do go wrong.

Decision makers and politicians need to provide the culture in which all of the above can function and thrive – for example, by ensuring that there are opportunities in the curriculum for children to learn and teachers to teach about online safety, ensuring that parents and carers have access to appropriate information and sources of support, and that industry are encouraged to self-regulate their content and services.

Media can play a very effective role in creating a better internet by regularly publishing dangers of unsafe internet and tips to protect people online especially kids and young.