SAFER Internet Day takes place tomorrow, Tuesday, February 9 with the theme, ‘Play Your Part for a Better Internet’.
The celebration sees organisations get involved to help promote the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.
To promote Safer Internet Day the Western Trust e-Safety Steering Group are coordinating a calendar of events.
The events will target different age groups and include a social media campaign designed for parents of young children. The aim of this campaign is to get parents to think about how they use internet enabled devices and how this might impact on family life.
Students in Limavady and Enniskillen will also get the opportunity to attend workshops about how to protect their online reputation.
These will be hosted by inspirational youth speaker and author, Wayne Denner.
He says: “What we post and share online can impact our reputation for years. It is vital in today’s world that young people get serious about protecting their online reputation and wellbeing if they want to get ahead in life. It’s an exciting time.
“For the jobseeker today, learning to use social media and technology to your advantage has become a key life skill which can open doors and make connections that were not possible before the Internet.”
In addition there are a variety of training opportunities for parents, carers and those who work with children, young people and vulnerable adults.
Sonia Montgomery, Assistant Manager, Health Improvement Department and Chair of the Western e-Safety Steering Group, said:
“The Trust’s Health Improvement Department has recognised that social media is a powerful medium, which can be used to share health messages and to support individuals to make healthier choices.
“However, evidence suggests that parents and practitioners are not always aware of what young people are able to access online.
“Although most information is positive and beneficial, unfortunately some young people will unknowingly put themselves at risk.
“The challenge for us is to learn how to communicate with our young people and get messages into their virtual world that will impact positively on their health and wellbeing.”
For further information on any aspect of e-Safety in the West, including the events to support Safer Internet Day, please contact the Health Improvement Department on 028 7186 5127 or email:[email protected]
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