Supporting Safer Internet Day 2016

Today is Safer Internet Day which sees hundreds of organisations promoting the safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. The day is all about highlighting the positive value of technology and exploring the role we can all play in helping to make the internet a safer and kinder place to be.

Safer Internet Day also presents a great excuse to talk to your child about their digital lives. Maybe share some tips about good digital citizenship, learn about e-safety issues together, and get them engaged in a social media campaign.

The day is coordinated by UK Safer Internet Centre and we are proud to be supporting again this year through Internet Matters.

The internet is a big, amazing expanse of information. But with such a wealth of material available online, it can sometimes be quite a daunting place for our customers. That’s why Virgin Media teamed up with BT, Sky and TalkTalk to launch Internet Matters, an online portal offering advice for adults to make sure their children don’t come across anything they shouldn’t when surfing the web.

The not-for-profit organisation increases awareness of the parental controls and filters available, and encourages you to speak to your kids about safe use of the internet. Check out the website for handy tips on issues ranging from cyber-bullying to social networking. It’s even got resources for different age groups and different types of tech.

Our parent company, Liberty Global, is also getting behind Safer Internet Day by launching a new ‘The Web We Want’ social media campaign for teachers. The Web We Want handbook and online portal, launched in 2013 by Liberty Global and other members of the Insafe Network, gives teachers the resources they need to help young people make the most of the opportunities online technologies and social media offer.

Join the Safer Internet Day conversation on social media using the #SID2016 and #shareaheart hashtags - you’ll find children and adults sharing posts filled with positive statements and messages, things they love about the internet and how they are playing their part to create a safer digital world.

Have a great Safer Internet Day!