COFACE: ‘Play your part for a better internet’ on Safer Internet Day 2016
Today more than 100 countries worldwide, including all 28 countries of the European Union, are celebrating Safer Internet Day (SID) for the thirteenth year running. Initiated under the European Commission’s Safer Internet Programme and now continuing under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) which funds Safer Internet Centres in the member states, the day marks an annual opportunity to engage in making the internet a safer and better place for our children and young people.
Coordinated by European Schoolnet and INHOPE (the International Association of Internet Hotlines), in close partnership with the Insafe network of Safer Internet Centres in Europe, Safer Internet Day has grown tremendously over the years. The theme of Safer Internet Day 2016 is ‘Play your part for a better internet!’. Whether we are children and young people, parents and carers, educators or social care workers, or indeed industry, decision makers or politicians, we all have a role to play. In championing a better internet, the theme aims to encourage people to play their part in making the most of the positive opportunities offered online, while giving them the resilience, skills, knowledge and support they need to navigate any online risks they may come across.
Each year, thousands of exciting events and activities take place to mark the day and raise awareness of the issues across and beyond Europe. Additionally, the Insafe network of Safer Internet Centres produces a range of resources for schools and educators to help them raise awareness of safe and responsible use of the internet and other online services. Find out what is happening in your country – and download resources – from the Safer Internet Day website.
As a European organisation representing the voices of families, COFACE has long advocated for child safety online, tackling topics like preventing cyberbullying with the #DeleteCyberbullying project or ensuring parents have access to better parental control tools with the SIP-BENCH project.
This year, COFACE intends to initiate work on key issues affecting the lives of families online. With virtual reality just around the corner, augmented reality in the pipeline, algorithms coupled with Big Data and the Internet of Things personalizing our online and offline environment, and continuous progress in machine learning and artificial intelligence, this makes for a cocktail which will revolutionize the way we use the Internet and our devices, creating both new opportunities and new risks.
COFACE warmly welcomes this 2016 edition of the Safer Internet Day, which is always a good occasion to remind ourselves of all that has been done, but also, all that still needs to be done to maximize the benefits that the Internet and new technologies can bring to families, parents and children alike.
