Coronavirus-friendly ideas for Safer Internet Day 2021

Safer Internet Day (SID) activities may look a little different this year as we adapt to COVID-19 restrictions, but SID 2021 can still be a fun, vibrant and engaging celebration!

Date 2020-12-01 Author Irish Safer Internet Centre Section awareness Topic cyberbullying, data privacy, love, relationships, sexuality (online), media literacy/education, online reputation, potentially harmful content Audience children and young people, organisations and industry, teachers, educators and professionals
Safer Internet Day logo

While it is important to be aware of and follow your school or organisation’s COVID-19 guidelines, there are still lots of easy, educational, and coronavirus-friendly ways that you can mark Safer Internet Day. Here are 12 ideas to help you get started.

1. Digital takeover

This year, more than ever, make the most of the resources at your disposal to highlight Safer Internet Day. Why not inquire about using the screens in your school to raise awareness of online safety? From showing videos, to posting tips, this is a great opportunity to capture the attention of the entire school community!

You could create your own, use some of these free online safety videos, or a combination of both! 

2. Send a SID 2021 letter home

Safer Internet Day can be a good opportunity to reach out to parents, to raise awareness of the activities taking place in school and encourage them to become more engaged in the importance of online safety.

You can use this free SID letter template, and tailor it to your own school.

3. Create your own video or podcast

Making a video or podcast to mark Safer Internet Day is a creative and popular way of promoting internet safety. Whether it is recording online safety tips, advice, or interviews, it is an opportunity for students to learn about online safety, in addition to being able to plan, record, and edit their own video or audio.

If you are looking for inspiration, read about how students used videos and podcasts to highlight Safer Internet Day in previous years.

4. School newspaper, newsletter or website

Why not use your school’s newspaper or website to promote Safer Internet Day?

Not only is it an opportunity to showcase your writing skills, creating content for these platforms can also be used to raise awareness of events or activities that are taking place, or even to promote tips on a variety of online safety topics such as respectful communication, online wellbeing, image sharing or privacy.

You could also write a press release and send it to your local newspaper or radio station to highlight the activities in the school to mark Safer Internet Day.

This SID press release template can be downloaded and tailored to suit your school!

5. Run a survey in your school

Carry out a survey with students in the school to identify their thoughts on an internet safety topic or topics. This is also a good way to highlight online safety and can also be used to inform what types of issues to address for Safer Internet Day or across the year.

6. Host a virtual guest

While COVID-19 restrictions make it difficult for schools to invite guests to give internet safety talks face-to-face, it why not consider holding a webinar or virtual talk for the class?

7. Watch an online safety video

Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to promote online safety, and to explore a range of key topics – and online safety videos can be a great way to start the discussion!

Webwise has videos for both primary and post-primary schools, which explore a range of important issues such as respectful communication/cyberbullying, online advertising, false information, big data, image sharing and self-esteem.

The videos are all free and can either be streamed or downloaded from our website. Access the videos on the Webwise website.

8. Take your campaign online

Create a SID 2021 blog, website or social media campaign. Whether you are running a month-long campaign, or doing smaller activities to highlight online safety, social media is a fantastic way to broaden the audience for your message. Consider what platforms you can use, what audience you are trying to reach, and what messages you want to highlight!

Remember you can be part of the national and international conversations using #SID2021, and by tagging Webwise Ireland on social media.

9. Free scripted Safer Internet Day presentations

Free and scripted presentations are available for primary and post-primary levels and have been specifically designed to help schools and organisations taking part in Safer Internet Day. The presentations can be used within the classroom and are also supported by activities and video materials.

10. Take a quiz

Quizzes are a fun way to celebrate Safer Internet Day. Find out how Webwise your students are using the interactive HTML Heroes quiz, or use Lesson 8 of the resource to assess your pupils’ ability to communicate and engage with others online without taking unnecessary risk using the Chatwise quiz.

You can also create your own Safer Internet Day quiz using online tools such as Kahoot, Mentimeter, or Quizizz.

11. #BeKindOnline - develop an online code or class contract

Use this downloadable online code activity to help students develop and implement guidelines on internet and technology use, and to help prevent cyberbullying. This activity is part of Lesson 5 of the Myselfie and the Wider World education resource.

12. Put your school on the map!

Regardless of how big or small your event or activity is, if you are marking Safer Internet Day in Ireland – let Webwise know! The interactive Safer Internet Day map of Ireland highlights the schools from all over Ireland that are taking part. Register to feature on the map, and to receive your school’s FREE Safer Internet Day pack!

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

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