Safer internet day will take place on 9th February and is intended to inform children and parents of the dangers and risks of the internet. (ISC)2 helps volunteer e-safety officers visit schools, and clubs.
Managing director, John Colley, justified the need for the event: “We must realise that it is the young people that continue to use the internet in new ways and take risks in a world where their parents and teachers are ill-equipped to guide them. Children are only just beginning to understand how to protect themselves online.”
Recent surveys conducted by (ISC)2 reveal figures which suggest young people are using computers excessively and are not fully aware of the risks. Eighty-five percent of over 750 school children said they had personal computers in their bedrooms, and of these, 75% of these children admitted to being online after 11 pm on a school night.
(ISC)2 findings also tells us that children are using unprotected memory sticks to transfer data from their parent’s home and work computers to school computers. Colley says:
“We need to address the total impact of this new world on our children. Too many are coming to school too tired to learn, while they don’t realise the risks of their computers being hijacked or having their, or their parents’, information and identity stolen.”
Another concern for parents is the increasing use of instant messaging and social networking amongst children. A survey taken of 774 children revealed that 60% have internet contacts they have never met.
Safer Internet day will provide parents guidance on how to safeguard their children from hazardous websites and use proper internet security measures. “We need to understand that there is no safety without security and ensure our kids are empowered to act responsibly.”