Tuesday 11 February is Safer Internet Day 2020! Safer Internet Day (SID) is celebrated globally in February in over 140 countries each year and in the UK it aims to inspire conversations about using technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively.
As part of the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC), we at SWGfL help organise and support SID, alongside our partners Childnet International and IWF (The Internet Watch Foundation).
Online Identity
This year, we are exploring whether young people feel #freetobe themselves online, how they manage their online identity, and how the internet shapes how they think of themselves and others. We will look at whether the internet allows young people to experiment and express themselves, or if they feel limited in who they can be online.
By opening up conversations around online identity, we aim to inspire young people to support each other in being who they want to be. We want Safer Internet Day 2020 to celebrate difference and help us work towards creating a truly inclusive internet
Last year 46% of young people across the UK said they had heard about SID and as a result of the day three quarters of parents and carers across the UK said they talked to their child about using the internet safely. We also saw more than 2,000 organisations unite to raise awareness of online safety issues and run events and activities right across the UK.
SWGfL's role
Our contribution to the SID campaign involves rallying stakeholder support specifically in the devolved nations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. This year our tireless team travelled to schools up and down the UK producing this year’s Safer Internet Day films, which explore the theme of identity online and complement the education packs.
We also support the campaign by partnering to organise events or support activities in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North West of England.
How can you support #SaferInternetDay 2020?
Are we #Freetobe what we want to be online?
On Safer Internet Day there will be national events, activities in schools, media coverage, lots of social media engagement, as we all aim to reach as many children and families across the UK as possible. You can help us make this happen.
- Join the #freetobe social media campaign and register as a supporter here Thousands of schools, tech companies, police services, charities, football clubs and other organisations across the UK are invited to get involved in the campaign to inspire a safe and positive use of technology.
- Share our mass-Tweet! Schedule and share the following Tweet at 8 am on Tuesday 11 February to help begin Safer Internet Day with a bang! - Today is Safer Internet Day! Join us and @UK_SIC this #SaferInternetDay to create a better internet. RT to show your support saferinternetday.org.uk. #FreeToBe
- Follow the UK Safer Internet Centre (UK_SIC) on social media. You can link up with the wider campaign taking place across the UK and globally in over 140 countries by following the centre on social media channels for more news – on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
- You can also join the social media campaign #FreeToBe #SaferInternetDay and download the campaign toolkit here.
- Use our campaign resources. To find all of our resources, please visit our campaign page where you can find a whole range including our educational resources, SID TV films and Quiz.
Help us make #SaferInternetDay 2020 the biggest yet!
What’s happening this year?
Up and down the United Kingdom hundreds of organisations, including schools, Premier League football clubs, police services and charities will be taking part in activities along with young people to help inspire a national conversation about using technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively.
In England and Scotland young people will be meeting together with Ministers and other key policymakers at events run by the UK Safer Internet Centre to explore how we can all come ‘together for a better internet’.
Liverpool Football Club
Organised by SWGfL & Liverpool Football Club, the legendary Anfield stadium will welcome 400 local school children through the Shankly Gates on Safer Internet Day. Schools from across Liverpool will gather to listen to our online safety expert, take part in Safer Internet Day workshops and activities, meet LFC players and have a tour the stadium.
The event will be attended by a top secret LFC footballing legend, and first team men’s and women’s team players.
Everton Football Club
Across the city at Goodison Park, SWGfL is also running an event with Everton Football Club where 120 school children will take part in assemblies and workshops covering this year’s theme of identity and whether we are free to be what we want to be online.
London
In London, more than 60 young people will take part in a youth-led interactive event at the BT Centre, welcoming over policymakers, industry, charities and media from across a range of sectors to discuss how young people navigate the challenges around identity online.
The young people will run activities for guests, deliver key note speeches, and take part in media interviews and panel discussions.
Wales
SWGfL is working in partnership with Welsh Government to deliver an event that will see around 150 young people of all ages attend a screening at the Odeon cinema of the finalists in the Safer Internet Day film competition. The winners will be announced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams AM.
Northern Ireland
SWGfL is working alongside Government departments in Northern Ireland to promote Safer Internet Day in schools celebrating in a range of ways, including special assemblies, lessons and events, with many schools having already registered as supporters on the Safer Internet Day Supporters list.
Scotland
In Scotland we are working with the Scottish Government to promote Safer Internet Day and encourage young people, education professionals, parents and carers to think about what identity online means to them.
To keep up to date with the latest Safer Internet Day news you can:
- Follow @UK_SIC on Twitter
- Like the UK Safer Internet Centre on Facebook
- Follow @UK_SIC on Instagram
- Subscribe to our newsletter
- Join the UK wide conversation with the #SaferInternetDay and #freetobe hashtag
