Helping children & young people reflect, recognise and reset- Safer Internet Day turns 21

Celebrated in more than 180 countries worldwide, today, February 6th marks the 21st anniversary of Safer Internet Day, which has become a landmark global event in the online safety calendar. The theme for Safer Internet Day 2024 is ‘Tech in our World’ and through a series of events taking place involving 200,000 children and young people from schools and organisations across Ireland, will explore the role of digital technology in young people’s lives, their views on new and emerging technology and the changes they would like to see enacted online.

Safer Internet Day 2024 kicks off today with an event hosted in Microsoft’s Dream Space and will feature contributions from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel; Niamh Hodnett, Online Safety Commissioner; Kieran McCorry, National Technology Officer, Microsoft, and Dr Emma Murphy, School of Computer Science – TU Dublin.  The session will also include interactive stakeholders’ discussions that will explore some of the opportunities and challenges as they relate to the role of the internet and digital technology in young people’s lives.

Webwise Youth Panellist Billie Constantinou, 19, said:‘We live in a world where internet technology is constantly evolving, one where we wake up with new AI capabilities, new apps and new trends every single day. To discuss tech in our world, we must understand that the future is uncertain and being able to adapt in tandem with this advancing online technology is a key skill in ensuring our safety in this every changing world.’

The themes that will be explored at today’s event will encourage schools, children, teens and parents to:

• Reflect: an opportunity to reflect on tech in their world, the challenges, opportunities and big changes.
• Recognise: give learners an understanding of the influence of digital technology in their daily life, exploring the concept of persuasive design and the influence of algorithms.
• Reset: learn tips to help reset online experiences and empower young people to make the most of their online world.

Niamh Hodnett, Online Safety Commissioner said: “I am delighted to celebrate my first Safer Internet Day as Online Safety Commissioner by taking part in Webwise’s ‘Tech in our World’ session. Safer Internet Day is a great chance for me to hear the views of young people on the role technology plays in their lives. It is also an opportunity to highlight the work of Coimisiún na Meán including preparing our first Online Safety Code, as part of our overall online safety framework. I would especially like to commend the essential work of the Irish Safer Internet Centre in supporting parents, children and teachers in navigating the online world in a safe and responsible way through the work of Webwise, the ISPCC, the National Parents Council and Hotline.ie.”

Minister for Education Norma Foley T.D. said:“Safer Internet Day is a day in which we focus on promoting the safer use of the internet by children. 

 We acknowledge the great work of our schools. We salute too the work of Webwise and the Oide Support Service for Teachers, who provide additional resources and training to schools and webinars for parents to support them in keeping their children safe on the internet.

 “Of course, we’re also very keen that parents would continue to engage with the guidelines that have been presented around the use of smartphones for young people in primary schools.”

Safer Internet Day in Ireland is coordinated by the Irish Safer Internet Centre, a partnership between Webwise, ISPCC, National Parents Council and Hotline.ie, providing a range of complementary online safety services, including an education and awareness centre, child and parent helplines and a hotline. The Centre is coordinated by the Department of Justice and co-funded by the European Union.

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