SA commits to Internet safety

To promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially among children, Insafe Network yesterday celebrated Safer Internet Day across the world.

This annual commemoration takes place in February, highlighting the need to address the many challenges the Internet presents, as well as to pursue policies that make it possible to redouble efforts in protecting both adults and children on the Internet and deter privacy infringements.

To ensure a better reach and engagement of Internet safety in SA, the Film and Publication Board (FPB), in partnership with Vodacom and the department of education, has decided to extend the campaign day by a month.

“This is to link it to the 'Back to School Campaign', which takes place annually around this time, where education officials visit public schools to determine its state of readiness for the academic year,” the board says.

The chief executive of FPB, Yoliswa Makhasi says: “In our campaign, we will be going to schools across the country sensitising the students about online safety. We will be following this year's Safer Internet Day theme, which is; 'Our Virtual Lives: It's More Than A game, Its Your Life.'“

This will encourage people to think more about their online identity and the survival of their real self through the online experience, she points out.

“We have lined up a number of engagements with learners during the month starting with Jules High School today, Greenfields High on Thursday and Eastbank High School, Alexandra Township on Friday,” she says.

Makhasi says the Internet has amplified human potentials, made the world smaller and easier to access, overcome geographical, cultural, and logistical barriers, and improved the way people live and work. However, she advises the public to use the Internet in a responsible way.

According to a recent survey, many children between the ages of 14 and 18 are engaging in risky online behaviour, and while parents say they are aware of the dangers, many are doing nothing to protect their children.

The MSN survey, run by Microsoft as part of Safer Internet Day, shows 44% of children have lied about their age when online; 37% of those who had been contacted by a stranger and 75% responded; and 4% told someone older that they trusted, such as a parent or teacher.

It also goes on to say, 39% of children between the ages of 14 and 18 look at Web sites or play online games that their parents would likely disapprove of, and two-thirds (67%) clear out their browser history to make sure their parents can't view their online activity.

The MD of World Wide Worx, Arthur Goldstuck, says the finding reinforces their research that shows that parents tend to be oblivious of what their children are doing online - even when they know the dangers their children may face.

“In many cases, the parents are far less tech-savvy than their children, and so are incapable of monitoring or responding to what their children are doing online. Our advice has always been that parents must be actively involved in their children's online lives, and we support the call for them to use the technology tools available,” he says.

Children may be highly skilled at using the Internet and cellphone features, but they don't know how to deal with the human issues that arise in many situations, and this is where open lines of communication with their parents will prove their value, says Goldstuck.

To mark the day, the Safer Internet RO Consortium also revealed an online encyclopedia, Saferpedia.eu. This features terms about Internet safety addressed to children, teens, teachers and parents all over the world.

The encyclopedia aims to be a useful tool for children, teens, parents and teachers. “Here they can find terms, definitions and resources about Internet safety, other terms referring to Internet, technical terms from IT and terms referring to Internet security,” the organisation says.

Currently, Saferpedia.eu has over 400 terms, divided in 10 different categories where users can find out details about parental control software, dangers of grooming, what cyber bullying is and how to stay away from harmful online content.

A patron of Safer Internet Day, and European Digital Agenda Commissioner, Neelie Kroes in a statement said, Safer Internet Day highlights the wide range of people and organisations that work hard to make the Internet safer.

The issue of protecting children on the Internet is an excellent example of how governments and the private sector can work together to tackle problems on the Internet, she said.

“Today, safer Internet centres, educators, parents, industry policy makers and children themselves all have the opportunity to review their achievements and identify challenges ahead"

Kroes reckons that - for children and young people especially - it is both a celebration of the wonderful opportunities the online world offers, and a reminder that they need to be responsible citizens in the digital world. I am proud to support Safer Internet Day".

Insafe strongly believes in the power of the voice of youth and makes a point of relaying their ideas and opinions, she adds.

Insafe says Safer Internet Day 2011 will also mark the release of a publication full of fun activities for four to eight year-olds entitled 'Play and Learn: Being Online' This, the organisation says, is an indispensable resource for young children as well as for their parents and teachers.

“As young children are now using computers and surfing the Internet at an increasingly early age, Insafe is... providing a resources that will raise their awareness to the opportunities and risks they may encounter online whilst honing their linguistic, cultural and social skills.”