Safer Internet Day

 With new technology being evolved for the betterment and to make our lives easy there are also corrupt people out there who use said technology in nasty manners. The more we are told about With today being Safer Internet Day, I would like this article to bring light to help you create a positive digital environment for yourself with this year's theme being “Together for a better Internet”

About Safer Internet Day

Safer Internet Day is an international event organised every year on the second Tuesday of February. It promotes a secure online setting for people, although the primary audience is youngsters. The initiative of this commemoration is to tackle vile challenges such as cyberbullying, hate speech and privacy leaks. The EU Safe Borders first organised the day in 2006. The Insafe Network of Awareness Centers eventually enlarged it to emphasise the value of online safety for people as individuals, families, and communities. The idea of Safer Internet Day was formally endorsed by the US in 2012, and it immediately gained international traction and is organised worldwide.

About the theme 

This year's theme is “Together for a Better Internet” which focuses on everyone globally creating a safe environment digitally all together. Safer Internet Day encourages ethical online conduct and works to improve the digital experience for users of all ages by raising awareness and promoting teamwork.

Ways to ensure a safe time on a digital platform as a youngster:

Digital Awareness and Literacy: It is important for young people to give priority to learning digital literacy skills. A safer online experience is based on having a fundamental understanding of how the internet functions, identifying potential hazards, and being aware of prevalent online threats. People with knowledge are better able to make wise judgments and safely use the internet.

Privacy Settings and Personal Information: Stress the value of maintaining one's online identity, especially on social media sites. When revealing personal information, like their entire name, address, school information, or phone numbers, children should use caution. Urge them to frequently check and modify their privacy settings so they can manage who has access to their data. Make sure your passwords are hard to crack and it's highly suggested to use different passwords in different places because if one password gets leaked, the rest of the platforms are still safe. NEVER! Never share your password digitally with anyone regardless of how close they may be to you, if it's needed for them to know then it's best to share such information in person.

Reporting: Adolescents need to be aware of the warning signals of cyberbullying and the potential harm it may do to their mental health. Promote honest discussion of any unpleasant internet encounters and stress the significance of reporting and obstructing those who engage in cyberbullying. Creating a positive and encouraging online community is crucial for everyone's health. No matter how short and harmless the comment may be for you doesn't mean that the receiver will feel the same; if someone fails to understand thus then it's time to explore the ‘report’ feature. Even if the harsh content doesn't directly affect you, please report it if you believe it's harsh to be left online.

Use of social media responsibly: Although social media is an excellent tool for communication and self-expression, it also has drawbacks. Children ought to be careful about what they share, taking into account how it can affect their reputation and future prospects. Encourage them to exercise caution when posting and to show them the same respect they would in person. It's essential to find a good balance between your digital space and real space. Develop healthy screen habits and start creating boundaries with yourself to ensure the same. Not everything happening in your life needs to be put up online. Don't forget that potential criminals can see the content you post to know about your whereabouts and use it to their advantage.

Stranger danger: Instructing children to approach internet material critically involves teaching them to critically think and fact-check. It is essential to be able to discriminate between trustworthy and deceptive material. Provide resources to support their independent fact-checking and encourage them to do so. Their resistance to false information is increased when critical thinking is ingrained in them. The internet is a beautiful place to make friends with people all around the world, however, one must be able to figure out if said friend is actually who they promise to be.  Many fakes commonly use excuses such as they're shy or insecure to show their face or call. 

Remember that we can build a prosperous digital future where everyone can flourishand use the internet responsibly by banding together and taking action.