Are you the real you, online? Digital identity and freedom

The month of February was marked by Safer Internet Day. With several campaigns and activities, the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre advocated for a safer, more aware and healthier use of the internet, with a special focus on digital identity. 

Date 2022-03-30 Author Portuguese Safer Internet Centre Section awareness, sid Topic media literacy/education, online reputation Audience children and young people, parents and carers, teachers, educators and professionals
Screenshot of the webinar about digital identity, featuring four speakers, the Safer Internet Day logo and the Internet Segura logo

For this edition of Safer Internet Day on 8 February 2022, the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre consortium promoted several initiatives under the common theme “Are you the real you, online? Digital identity and freedom”, aimed at raising awareness around the topic of digital identity, improving media literacy and creating a better digital environment. 

To mark the day, a webinar was hosted, addressing online safety topics such as the role of the algorithms in social media platforms, online privacy, digital identity concerns, artificial intelligence, online behaviour and screen time. The event brought together experts from various fields of expertise, including teachers, psychologists and project managers, young athletes and digital content creators. "Teaching digital literacy to children and young people is the most important step for change," was one of the phrases from the youth panel, underlining the value of learning new digital skills. 

The webinar can be rewatched below (in Portuguese).  

 

The ZigZaga na Net radio programme 

In early February, the new season of the ZigZaga na Net online radio programme was released.  

This ZigZag radio programme, created in collaboration with the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre consortium, combines entertainment with pedagogy and digital literacy. The previous season, which provided additional knowledge to reading materials, has now been collected in the digital book of the same name. ZigZaga na Net gives children and young people tips and advice about the best online practices and teaches digital skills to surf the internet more safely. 

Focus on digital identity and online reputation 

Digital identity and online reputation also took centre stage when the play ID: A tua Marca na Net was made available online. Alexandre Silva, Pedro Górgia and Tiago Aldeia are the actors starring and bringing the plot to life. The aim of the play is to raise awareness of the possibilities and limits of using digital media in a playful and educational way, adressing the main online reputation concerns. 

Three actors featured in the play ID A tua Marca na Net. Credits: Portuguese Safer Internet Centre

The three actors also took on the role of ambassadors for Safer Internet Month in Portugal (February 2022) and gave tips and insights on the topic of real vs. Fake online identities. Since February, the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre's campaign has continued with the aim of further informing the general public and making the internet a safer and healthier place for children and young people. 

Find out more about the work of the Portuguese Safer Internet Centre, including its awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services – or find similar information for Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe

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