EVENTS: Safer Internet Day, 8 February 2011

Safer Internet Day is an European-wide initiative to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world. In 2010 Safer Internet Day was celebrated through over 500 events in 65 countries all over the world. The topic for 2011 is "our virtual lives" around the slogan " It's more than a game, it's your life".

Activity in the UK will be led by the new Safer Internet Centre, which starts on 1 January 2011 and is made up of Childnet International, the South West Grid for Learning, and the Internet Watch Foundation.

The European coordinator of the network of Awareness centres and Safer Internet Day, INSAFE, is developing some content that will be shared and available for use on the day, including:

- A banner advert, which is due to be ready by the end of October
- A toolkit, which is also due to be ready by the end of October
- and A short film clip (about 15-30 seconds long) which will be ready in November.

The UK Safer Internet Centre will have a number of resources available for the day, and in advance:

For primary schools this will include 5 quick lesson ideas, a lesson plan, 'Only a game' Primary drama activity and ‘Know IT All’ for Primary. Whilst for secondary schools resources will include 5 quick lesson plan ideas, ‘Digizen game’, a Safer Internet Day event for 16-18s and ‘Know IT All’ for Secondary toolkit with lesson plans and accompanying resources.

Other planned resources include a helpline (to be piloted in the southwest) for professionals working with young people, an online radio phone in for parents, young people and others and event bringing 40 older teenagers to London, to hear their experiences, likes, concerns and solutions in relation to their use of new technology, as well as getting them to work towards developing their own content to raise awareness in a Dragons Den style activity.

If you want more information, have ideas about the day or want to get involved, contact Childnet.

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