With children and young people currently online more than ever due to lockdown, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is keen to ensure that people in Conwy and Denbighshire are aware of Safer Internet Day, which will take place on February 9th.
Safer Internet Day is celebrated globally in February each year to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. It calls upon young people, parents, carers, teachers, social workers, law enforcement, companies, policymakers, and wider, to join together in helping to create a better internet.
This year’s theme is ‘an internet we trust: exploring reliability in the online world’ and will focus on how to separate fact from fiction to make the most of the amazing range of information and opportunities online.
Darren said:
“While the Internet is an invaluable resource for children, particularly in current times, it is also one of the newest, constantly changing and fastest growing threats to keeping children safe.
“Research commissioned by Safer Internet UK shows how young people have had to adapt and grow up, predominantly online, throughout the past year, with 77% of young people (age 8-17) stating that being online is a more important part of their life than ever before.
“In 2020, Safer Internet Day reached 49% of UK children aged 8 – 17, and 26% of parents and carers. Of these, 77% of children said they felt more confident about what to do if they were worried about something online, and 19% went on to speak to someone about something that was worrying them. 76% of parents and carers spoke to their children about using the internet safely.
“The fact that technology is now part of everyday life for children and young people is a great thing, but we must never get complacent about promoting the dangers of the internet.
"I therefore urge all schools and parents in Clwyd West to use Safer Internet Day to educate our young people to be responsible when online. We can all play a part in helping to make the internet a great and safe place for all."
