The Internet is an incredible invention that has changed the world in many ways beyond what we can imagine. Unfortunately, not all of these changes have been positive. It is possible to communicate with people quicker, find information faster, and transmit information at lightning speed. These boons can also be a danger to safety. Safer Internet Day reminds everyone to be aware of the dangers and keep their private information and lives secure online.

Officially, Safer Internet Day was established in 2012 by the US Department of Homeland Security (US) and the European Commission (EU). They decided that it was time for them to make the Internet a safer place for youth. ConnectSafely.org was created to coordinate American theater efforts. It has been a great year for America. Every year, they pick a theme to promote and a goal they want to achieve. What are the goals they want to achieve?

They began to promote the theme of 2015 “Actions & Activism Towards a Better Net & World”. This year, they focused on bullying and integration with National Parent Teacher Association and how technology can be used to effect social change. Because people of all walks of life and cultures can now connect and communicate in new ways, this is an especially powerful way to use the tool. This is what the Internet was created for. It brought us together and helped to bring the world together.

To Celebrate Safer Internet Day, the first thing you should do is to work towards building your online safety portfolio. You should know what to do in the event of cyberbullying and how to communicate with others around the globe in areas of common interest. You must ensure that your identity and the identities of those around you are secure. Connectsafely.org is a great place to check out the latest apps for protecting your identity and that of your children. You can also follow up on the latest news regarding internet security.