For most of us, starting the day means checking emails, sports scores, headlines or social media feeds. In other words, it begins by using the internet.
The internet has come a long way since Sir Tim Berners-Lee created the world wide web in 1989.
In 2014, on the 25th anniversary of the world wide web, Berners-Lee hosted an Ask Me Anything (AMA) on social networking site Reddit. Someone asked him, “What was one of the things you never thought the internet would be used for, but has actually become one of the main reasons people use the internet?”
His answer (to many people’s surprise): kittens.
We love an animal meme as much as the next person, but the internet is also used for many dangerous, damaging and nefarious purposes.
As a result, the EU SafeBorders project and later the European-based Insafe network declared Feb. 8 as Safer Internet Day, a day to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns.
This year, for the 19th edition of Safer Internet Day, approximately 200 countries and territories around the world will celebrate.
“With a theme once again of ‘Together for a better internet,’ the day will call upon all stakeholders to join together to make the internet a safer and better place for all, and especially for children and young people,” according to the website. “Whether you are a young person, a parent or carer, a teacher or an educator, a policy maker, or whether you represent an organization or industry, everyone has a role to play in creating and maintaining a better online world.”
Resources are available on the website, and festivities will be promoted on social media through Safer Internet Day’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok) as well as using the hashtags #SaferInternetDay and #SID2022.