Safer Internet Day
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- Created on Wednesday, 08 February 2012 11:24
Yesterday was Safer Internet Day, an annual event which aims to highlight the risks of using the internet and promote personal safety online.
This year the event highlights the benefits of sharing internet safety know-how at home. Families around the UK are encouraged to discover the digital world together.
New research reveals children appreciate their parents' guidance in how to navigate the online world. Despite their reputation as clued-up digital natives, three quarters of 9-16 year-olds feel they benefit from talking to their parents about their internet use. Contrary to popular perceptions that parents are the in dark, two-thirds of children say their parents always know what they are doing online.
Parents who talk to their children about the internet help to protect against potential online risks, according to the research. It reveals that an 'open dialogue and active mediation' can reduce children's exposure to safety risks without reducing online opportunities. The benefits of active discussion include: lower risk, lower harm, access to more online activities and access to a greater level of skills.
And according to new BBC research, launched to mark Safer Internet Day, this is a two-way street. Two thirds of young people help their parents or carers use the internet, including one in six who help with safety features like privacy settings and one fifth who help parents/carers set security settings to protect against viruses and spyware on the family computer.
Online quiz to help families discover internet safety know-how together
To help families test out their internet safety know-how together, the UK Safer Internet Centre, has launched a free, online quiz.
The quiz covers safety issues related to social networks, online entertainment, internet-gaming and mobiles – and awards users with an Internet Safety IQ score. It also provides top tips on how to discover the digital world safely, from how to secure privacy settings, to how to enjoy film and music from safe, official websites.
Try out the Internet Safety IQ test
Source: UK Safer Internet Centre