The 18th edition of International Safer Internet Day will be celebrated on February 9, 2021. But what is this day all about?
What is Safer Internet Day and why is it observed?
This day is observed every year on the second Tuesday of February to promote safer, positive and responsible use of the Internet. It calls people to come together and make the Internet a safer place, especially for children and the youth.
The theme for SDI in 2021 is “Together for a Better Internet” and the hashtag #SaferInternetDay marks SID in 2021.
History of the International Safer Internet Day
This project was started as an initiative of the EU Safe Borders project in 2004. It is currently observed across 170 countries globally.
We have taken huge strides to make the Digital Age a reality for the masses. The pandemic has further accelerated our shift towards increased online activities. In an age where shopping, learning, business, and even love happens online, building a safer Internet for kids and adults alike is imperative!
The Internet has as many dangers as are present in real life. Cyberbullying, identity theft, phishing, data theft, hacking, are some of the common dangers one could face once online.
International Safer Internet Day is to bring stakeholders together – individuals, students, teachers, parents and families, governments and educational institutes – in making the Internet safe, especially for kids and young people. Online trolling and cyberbullying have a deep impact on the mental health of kids and can be detrimental eventually. Blackhat crimes have been offering a big blow to our privacy, data and our money.
So, it is essential to come together and promote our safety and well-being when connected online.
Safer Internet Day 2021: Tips for Kids and Adults
With almost all of us active on multiple social media sites, privacy is a thing of yesterday. But did you know that the data you put out on social media sites can be misused for someone else’s gain.
Here are some tips to be practiced online for your safety and that of your loved ones.
- Do not share your personal information with unknown people. Also, do not put out all your personal information across social media sites.
- Choose strong passwords and do not save them on your devices or machines. A strong password is a combination of letters, special characters and numbers. Not sure if you have set a strong password? Use Google Password Checkup to check if your password is a strong one!
- Practice safe browsing – do not click links in emails from unknown people. Look for spelling mistakes, odd emails citing hefty amounts as prizes, urgent messages, are signs of phishing emails.
- Do not download songs/movies/games/ videos/content from lesser–known websites.
- Shop only from secure and known websites.
- Do not leave your device unattended – always lock it when not in use.
- Be wary of people you meet online. Do not interact with suspicious or unknown people over the Internet.
- Keep your antivirus up to date.
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