Safer Internet Day 2014

By Joanne Sweeney 11th February 2014 Uncategorized

Safer Internet Day is organised by Insafe in February of each year to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world.

Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network as one of its earliest actions in 2005, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in more than 100 countries worldwide, and across all continents.

The 11th Safer Internet Day is being celebrated worldwide today Tuesday 11 February 2014 at 11am. The theme for the day is: “Let’s create a better internet together”. Safer Internet Day wants as many children and young people, parents and carers, teachers and educators, or industry and politicians – to join with them in working together to build a better internet for all, but particularly children and young people.

Organisations across Ireland will be getting involved; running information sessions for parents, giving talks in schools, hosting workshops, and generally encouraging safer and more positive use of the internet by children. You can find out what is going on by visiting www.saferinternetday.ie

How are we getting involved?

We are celebrating Safer Internet Day by launching an official Facebook page for our Young Minds Online course designed specifically for Transition Year students.

Young Minds Online is a course designed for Transition Year students by Joanne Sweeney-Burke and her 18 year old daughter Sophie. The course is currently being rolled out in Salerno Secondary School, Galway.

The aim of this course is to help tweens and teens learn and understand what steps need to be taken to safeguard their social media use, protect their online reputation and fight online bullying. To make them more aware of the broad spectrum of social media and to prepare them as leaders and advocates of best practice among their peers.

The course runs for seven months during the academic year. Schools can decide when to schedule the course – e.g. September – March, October – April or November – May.

If you are interested please visit our website www.digitaltraining.ie or e-mail [email protected] to receive a brochure or a free talk about the course in your school.