February 11 has been designated Safer Internet Day since 2003, where the global community comes together to raise awareness and work to build a safer and more responsible internet, where everyone is empowered to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively.
The observance began in Europe and is now celebrated in more than 100 countries.
Globally, it’s coordinated by the Brussels-based Insafe/INHOPE Network, with the support of the European Commission. ConnectSafely has been the official U.S. host since 2013.
The campaign aims to reach out to children and young people, parents and carers, teachers, educators and social workers, as well as industry, decision-makers and politicians, to encourage everyone to play their part in creating a better internet.
NOW’s activism around these issues is growing exponentially, and keeping pace with the rapid rise of internet threats, deepfakes and gender-based violence online. Here is a podcast that NOW President Christian F. Nunes recorded on deepfakes and how they impact women, and here’s an article Christian wrote on the subject for Fortune Magazine.
This year’s theme for Safer Internet Day is ‘Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online’ Among the questions being asked today are:
- How is changing technology like generative AI going to impact the approach of scammers?
- What role can the government and internet industry take to tackle this threat?
- And what changes would young people like to see to help protect themselves moving forward?
Here are some resources, quizzes, social media tools and research on how to protect yourself and your family and loved ones from “too good to be true” scams. And here are some videos, “Heros of Zero” designed to teach young children ages 5-8 the life skills they need to navigate an increasingly online world
ConnectSafely has also prepared lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school students with activities that help students understand the scope of the challenge they face every day, how to become more aware of their own agency to fight back, and what specifically they can do, and help others do for themselves.
Today is a global observance of Internet Safety Day—but every day deserves that designation. Learn more from these resources, and know that you always have the power to make the internet a safer and better resource—for all ages.