While most parents, caregivers, and educators see the value in technological advances as they relate to education, many also have concerns about the safety issues surrounding the Internet and other technology based interaction. Several weeks ago we shared a resource with our readers that focused on Internet safety for young people, a website called Childnet International. And last Tuesday, February 7th, was Safer Internet Day. Today, we would like to share some additional resources that anyone working with or caring for children would find useful in helping make the Internet and other technologically related experience safer for all those involved.
Safer Internet Day is organized by the Insafe and INHOPE networks (the European network of Safer Internet Centres and the International Association of Internet Hotlines) as a day to bring attention and support to making the Internet a safer place for young people. Safer Internet Day was introduced nine years ago in 2004 and now reaches more than 70 countries on six continents, including all 27 countries of the European Union. This year’s theme is Connecting Generations with a slogan of Discover the digital world together… safely! The idea behind this theme and slogan is to encourage parents, caregivers, and educators to actively engage with children as they are exploring the Internet rather than restricting their online exposure out of fear.
One thing Insafe has done this year to assist schools in promoting Internet safety is create an internet safety toolkit that is available on the Insafe website. This toolkit includes banners and leaflets to promote Internet safety, certificates of participation, as well as Acceptable Use posters. The toolkit also contains some great Internet safety lesson plans including one lesson based on the 2012 Safer Internet Day video spot and another lesson that incorporates this year’s Connecting Generations theme. There is also an Internet safety activity book for 4 – 8 year olds and eSafety kit for families available online. All of the materials in this toolkit are available to download from the Insafe website at http://www.saferinternetday.org/web/guest/sidkit2012
Insafe is also holding two competitions to raise Internet safety awareness. Information about these competitions is stated on the Insafe website as follows:
- SID (Safer Internet Day) poster competition For this competition, we invite children and young people to create an Acceptable Use Policy poster using the initials ‘SID’, or based around the theme of Connecting Generations.
- SID video competition For this competition, we invite children and young people to create a short video clip (maximum of 2 minutes) on the theme of Connecting Generations.
There are three categories of entry for each competition: 9 years old and under, 10 -14 years old, and over 14 years old. Prizes for competition winners include games and a chance to participate in an online safety summer camp in Romania. Entries for this competition will be accepted through February 29, 2012 and may be submitted online at http://www.saferinternetday.org/web/guest/competitions-submit .
The Insafe network provides Internet safety resources year round, not just on Safer Internet Day. Insafe also offers a free monthly newsletter on topics surrounding online safety and runs a back to school campaign, centered on Internet safety of course, every September. For more information on Insafe, you can visit their website at www.saferinternetday.org
Tags: internet safety