Safer Internet Day 2017 arrives with special events at WW2 codebreaking base Bletchley Park-Jeff Parsons

The annual campaign is supported across the UK by schools, companies and the site of Alan Turing's Enigma-cracking exploits

The cyber security exhibition at Bletchley Park (Photo: Bletchley Park)

Safer Internet Day is an annual event that promotes responsible and positive uses of digital technology in the face of things like trolling and cyberbullying.
The event falls on February 7 and sees millions of people and organisations join in both across the country and further afield. Educational and instructional materials are made available to download while venues host specific events tailored towards making the internet a safer place for younger people.
One such event is being held at Bletchley Park, the site where the German Enigma coding system was broken during the Second World War by Alan Turing.
A series of talks, which are open to the public, are being held at the site. Raj Samani, a chief technology officer at Intel Security, will be giving a presentation on cybersecurity. An accompanying exhibition on cybersecurity will allow people to enjoy interactive and audio experiences that draws a link between the efforts of the codebreakers in WW2 and the modern-day need to stay safe online.

Enigma machine (Photo: Reuters)

“Our kids are growing up in a digital-first world and are increasingly using devices that are connected to the internet," Samani said.
"However, we found that 40% of parents do not monitor their children's internet usage. Working with Bletchley Park on these Safer Internet Day events allows us to help visitors young and old understand cybersecurity risks and how to avoid them.”
This year, Safer Internet Day will focus on the explosion of image and video sharing thanks to the continued dominance of the likes of Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat.
“It is fair to say that in 2017 the internet is powered by images and videos," said Will Gardner, a Director of the UK Safer Internet Centre and CEO of Childnet.

• Thousands of parents STILL have no idea what their children are doing online

"This can magnify the risks and pressures that young people face, while also offering fun new opportunities for self-expression and creativity.”

Online images

As part of Safer Internet Day, research was carried out examining what role images and video play in the lives of 8-17 year olds.
Encouragingly, 80% of the 1,500 young people surveyed for the research said that in the last year they have felt inspired by an image or video online to do something positive.

Do YOU monitor your children's internet activity?

Furthermore, two thirds (67%) have posted an image or video on the internet for a variety of positive reasons, including to support friends (40%); to share something interesting with others (31%); and to encourage others to do something positive (17%).
However, while many of their experiences were positive, many young people are having negative experiences online:

• Almost 2 in 5 (38%) have received negative comments on a photo they have posted.
• More than 1 in 5 (22%) of 8-17s said that someone has posted an image or video to bully them.
• 70% of 8-17s said they have seen images and videos not suitable for their age in the last year.
• Almost half (45%) of 13-17-year-olds have seen nude or nearly nude photos of someone they know being shared around their school or local community.

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• Massive spike in online searches for 'cyberbullying' at start of new school year

Teenager (Photo: Getty)

“The internet is a powerful tool that gives children and young people many fantastic opportunities - but protecting them from the risks they might face online or on their phones remains absolutely vital," said Minister for Vulnerable Children and Families, Edward Timpson.
"That's why I'm pleased to be able to support Safer Internet Day again this year, and look forward to hearing how schools and pupils take part.”

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Culled from Mirror