SAFER INTERNET DAY – February 8th 2011

Safer Internet Day 2011, celebrated in over 65 countries worldwide, is being marked by a series of events across the UK to raise awareness of the importance of safety online.

The UK Safer Internet Centre, working in collaboration with a range of partners including schools, government and the internet industry such as Facebook and Microsoft, is leading activities by convening a Young People’s Symposium and hosting a 12 hour Safer Internet radio programme.

This year’s theme is ‘virtual lives – it’s more than a game it’s your life’, and includes messages for parents and young people to recognise that internet safety also applies to gaming.

The Symposium is taking place at Microsoft’s London offices where forty 15 – 18 year olds from across the UK will be inspired to think creatively about the internet safety needs of their age group, pitching their ideas for communicating their chosen key safety messages to their peers, to a panel of experts.

For the first time, Safer Internet Day is also organising a 12 hour interactive radio programme, bringing together a range of speakers including Facebook’s Lord Richard Allan and Professor Tanya Byron. Listeners can dial in live to ask questions to different experts.

The UK Safer Internet Centre is part of a Europe-wide initiative funded by the European Commission. As a consortium of partners it raises awareness amongst children, their parents and carers about online safety issues. The UK Safe Internet Centre provides a broad range of tools and tips for children, parents, carers and teachers on how to use the internet safely and responsibly.

Safer Internet Day, now in its 8th year, recognises the importance of the internet in the lives of children and young people, and helps ensure that they and those that support children, parents, carers, grandparents, teachers, know how to get the most out of the internet and use it safely and responsibly.

When: Tuesday February 8th 2011

For press enquiries, interview requests and filming opportunities please contact saferinternet@arpartners.com or call:

Josephine Meijer: 020 3047 2333
Emma Dennis: 020 3047 2076
Rishi Bhattacharya: 020 3047 2361