Today is Safer Internet Day 2023. Various global organizations and popular platforms like Google celebrate it in their own ways.
What is Safer Internet Day?
Coordinated in the United Kingdom by the UK Safer Internet Centre, Safer Internet Day is an annual campaign that sees thousands of organizations get involved in promoting the safe, responsible, and positive use of digital technology for children and youngsters.
This year’s theme is “Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online.” It highlights children’s and young people’s voices at the heart of the day and encourages them to shape the online safety support they receive.
Here is how some organizations are celebrating Safer Internet Day 2023.
Google, on its search engine’s homepage, has included a link to content on Safer Internet Day 2023.
It also shared an article about five tips to keep students safer online. The tips include talking to kids about the apps they use, keeping privacy in mind, not forgetting about mental health, staying cautiously optimistic about the future, and getting involved on Safer Internet Day.
World Economic Forum
Meanwhile, the Switzerland-based international non-governmental and lobbying organization World Economic Forum is also taking efforts in celebration of Safer Internet Day 2023.
They said, “With over 175,000 children coming online every day worldwide, a greater number of kids will experience the benefits and risks of navigating the web.”
“There are major gaps when it comes to addressing Child Sexual Abuse Material on digital platforms,” World Economic Forum added. “On Safer Internet Day 2023, (7 February) we take a look inside the company practices that could improve children’s online safety.”
Tinder
Tinder is also making efforts to celebrate Safer Internet Day.
In fact, the popular online dating and geosocial networking app has announced the rollout of several new features, including Incognito, Block Profile, Long Press Reporting, and updates to “Does This Bother You?” and “Are You Sure?” These new features are all adding to how members can control how they interact with others, contributing to more safety when using the platform.
Advertising Standards Authority
United Kingdom’s regulator of advertising, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), has also launched initiatives in line with Safer Internet Day 2023.
Notably, they published their updated guidance on age-restricted ads.
“As children and young people spend more and more time online, it is important that advertisers of age-restricted products target their ads towards appropriate audiences and away from protected age groups,” ASA said in its official statement.
In addition, ASA also recently published its 100 Children Report. This report provides a fascinating insight into UK children’s real-world mobile phone and tablet use, the sites and platforms they visit, and the ads they are exposed to over the course of a week.
