Children and teenagers, we want you on board for SID! Are you sick and tired of hearing your parents, grandparents and teachers warning you about the dangers of smartphones and social media, or simply claiming that "it was better before"?
We hear you, which is why we are using this opportunity to invite you to join us, and make your voice heard. What matters most to you online? What are the things you don't like? What kind of online environment would you like to have? Share your own experience and your opinion on what is the key to building a better internet for younger users. There are so many ways for you to get involved! In this article, you will find a few examples.
Say no to cyberbullying
Online harassment is a widespread problem and, if you are active on social media, it is very likely that you have witnessed it or suffered from it at least once in your life. But the good news is, young people are fighting back! Learn more about the inspirational campaign of the 2017 BIK Youth Panel called #Togetherforrespect and take action too!
For more information about cyberbullying, you can also read a detailed article on the topic here.
Protect your online privacy
Privacy might look funny from this perspective, but protecting your data adequately is a must to enjoy the online world safely and freely. Your data is constantly harvested by the social media platforms and various apps that you use on a daily basis. Moreover, if privacy settings are treated lightly, ill-intentioned people can get access to your data and use it to damage your reputation or use compromising information to blackmail you.
To prevent that, you can take some simple steps:
- Check whether your password is really safe with howsecureismypassword.net
- Find out whether one of your accounts has been hacked using haveibeenpwned.com
- Have a look at our #SaferInternet4EU cybersecurity and cyber hygiene resources
Curate your time spent online
Make sure that your online life does not prevent you from enjoying the small daily pleasures in real life! More and more apps are developing "Time well spent" features. Facebook and Instagram, for example, have developed dashboards helping you manage your time on social apps. Give them a try!
Other than the amount of time you spend online, you should also think about the quality of the time you spend. Are you using the web in a positive and respectful way? Having fun online is important, but you should always keep your digital reputation in mind. Learn about the long-term consequences of a negative digital footprint by becoming a Net-Detective!
Develop your critical mindset
Scams have been around since the dawn of time, but on the internet, they take brand new proportions and if you fall for them, the consequences can sometimes be very serious. Watch this example on the topic of sextortion:
Other than scams personally affecting you, there are much broader problems which we are sure you have encountered online… Ever heard about fake news? That is why, in the 21st century, developing your media literacy skills is absolutely essential, but guess what… it can actually be fun! Play this game – Populism Bingo – with your friends to train your critical mind!
Learn more about the BIK Youth Panel
Each year, we organise a BIK Youth Panel in which a group of youth panellists voice not just their personal opinions and challenges, but also those of their peers whom they are representing at a European level.
The last edition (2018) was a huge success, as you can see here and here. All the participants were delighted with their experience, as they built a successful campaign that reached many different stakeholders: #MyDigitalSelfAndI (you can also watch the behind-the-scenes).
Why not get involved in 2019? Contact your local Safer Internet Centre (SIC) and keep an eye on the BIK Youth website, your one-stop-shop to share your views on how to build a better internet.
Talk about us on social media
Join the online conversation surrounding SID on Twitter using the hashtags #SaferInternetDay and #SID2019 and unlock the exclusive SID emoji (available soon)! Share with us and with your community your perspective on a better and safer internet, how you plan on getting involved for SID 2019, or simply show some love!
You can also add a badge to your social media profiles using Twibbon to show your friends that you are part of the better internet movement and, while you're at it, watch a video message about the SID 2019 global rally for everyone to work "Together for a better internet". Feel free to share it with your friends and family online!
This #SID2019, "we are millions, united with one mission: to make the #internet a place where everyone is empowered to use #technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively."
Get ready for #SaferInternetDay, coming on 5 February!
Together for a better internet! pic.twitter.com/kaMhZkQFuX
— Safer Internet Day (@safeinternetday) January 17, 2019
Find out what others are doing in your country and join in!
SID is a truly global event. It is celebrated in more than 140 countries by millions of children, teenagers, parents, teachers, educators, social workers, policymakers and industry, all united to make the internet a better place where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively. See what is happening in your country and register your own support on the SID website!
Show your support for SID and join "Together for a better internet" on Tuesday, 5 February 2019.