Safer Internet Day!

 

ConnectSafely is proud to be the official US host of Safer Internet Day, a global event celebrated in more than 100 countries, this year on Tuesday, February 9. Here are a few ways you, your classroom, your home or your organization can join us and people across the globe to send the message that making the internet great for everybody takes everybody.

Get Involved

"The internet starts with I & ends with T" This year, our U.S. theme is “The internet starts with I & ends with T" — asking everyone to think about “What I can do to make the internet better.” And while we can take personal responsibility for our own actions, we can also work together. “Internet ends with T” reminds us that we’re all in this together. That includes families, companies, governments and everyone else. We all have a role to play. Here are a few key ways to celebrate Safer Internet Day in your community or home. See the full list at SID-USA.org. Industry Insight Watch ConnectSafely’s “Industry Insight” video series for a look at what tech companies, policymakers and others are doing to keep people safe on apps and services. The series launches Feb. 8 on SID-USA.org. Lesson Plans ConnectSafely’s Education Director Kerry Gallagher created lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school students with activities based on our theme in the following topic areas: I protect my accounts and devices I share responsibly so I don’t spread false information I take care of myself I take care of others

Go To Lesson Plans

Family Activities Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to discuss digital safety and civility with your kids. Some conversation starters: Discuss our theme The internet starts with "I" and ends with "T." What does that mean and how does it apply to your family? Brainstorm “rules” for digital civility. Create an online and printed pledge with everyone’s best ideas. You see a post or fact online that just doesn't seem right. How do you check if it's true? Do you share it, correct it or just ignore it? An ad pops up while you’re doing a search—you click on the ad—it takes you away from your original search. What do you do? You’re using an app that you have permission to use, but while using the app you get a message from someone you don’t know. What do you do? You post a picture of a friend or classmate and they ask you to take it down. What do you do?

Companies & Community Organizations Sign up to become a Safer Internet Day U.S. partner! Check out our partner kit for ways to participate in Safer Internet Day with your customers and employees. Once you know your company’s plans, email us the details at the link at the bottom of this page.

Go to Partner Kit

Spread the Word on Social Media Use the hashtags #SID2021 and #SaferInternetDay and don’t forget to tag @connectsafely. See SID-USA.org for ways to rally your followers and get the word out about Safer Internet Day.

Get Involved on Social

Thank You to Our Supporters

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PROOF POINTS: 10,000 student study points to kindergarteners who may become heavy screen users

Researchers at Penn State analyzed 10,000 students and found that kindergarteners in low-income families and Black kindergarteners of all incomes had a higher propensity to be heavy users of technology by the end of elementary school.  Hyperactive kindergarteners and those exhibiting aggressive behaviors, such as hitting, were also more likely to become frequent users. The study focused on fifth graders who said they were playing online video games, using social media or texting “many times” a day and their characteristics and behavior in kindergarten.

Read more:

https://hechingerreport.org/kindergarteners-who-may-become-heavy-screen-users/

Tools for Today's Digital Parents

 Access this resource: https://www.fosi.org/policy-research/tools-for-todays-digital-parents

Online safety tools exist to ensure children have safe and secure digital experiences. These tools, often referred to as parental controls, serve to assist parents - but are they really being used? And if so, how helpful are they to parents? Our connected world is changing faster than ever, re-shaped by new devices and platforms – what is often dubbed disruptive technology. This goes well beyond the media industry, impacting our daily lives in personal, professional and social spheres. This year, more than ever, we’ve seen the effects of technology on our families.

Cyberbullying: Top Ten Tips for Health Care Providers

 

Read the full document:
https://cyberbullying.org/Cyberbullying-Top-Ten-Tips-Health-Care-Providers.pdf

Bullying Resolution: Help for Parents

This Bullying Resolution page provides parents with insight to assist them in achieving an effective resolution of the more serious or chronic situations where their child is being repeatedly bullied or harassed. This service is for residents in Oregon. However, the information will be relevant in other states. 

http://www.embracecivility.org/resolution/

Be Internet Awesome by Google

To make the most of the Internet, kids need to be prepared to make smart decisions. Be Internet Awesome teaches kids the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety so they can explore the online world with confidence.

https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en_us/interland

TWEEN CYBERBULLYING IN 2020

Cartoon Network | Stop Bullying Speak Up | Research and Resources https://www.cartoonnetwork.com/stop-bullying/resources.html