Safer Internet Day is Tuesday, February 11, 2014.
Safer Internet Day (SID) has been celebrated in Europe and around the world since 2004. And while some companies and organizations have sponsored SID events in the United States, there hasn’t been an official U.S. program supported by a wide range of companies, non-profit organizations and government entities. Until now.
This year ConnectSafely.org was appointed as the U.S. host, for Safer Internet Day. And, in partnership with the National PTA and a coalition of other non-profit organizations and companies, ConnectSafely.org is hosting the official Safer Internet Day event on Capitol Hill in Washington DC on Tuesday. February 11.
The event, which will feature remarks by U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, will also include a panel of youth from around the country and another panel with leaders from Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, Xbox Live and YouTube. Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice President for the Digital Agenda, will participate via video. And, for those who can’t attend in person, the event will be streamed live on Facebook Live and at ConnectSafely.org/sidvideo.
The basis for the United States’ official participation in SID came late in 2012, when then U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Ms. Kroes signed a joint declaration. Early in 2013, ConnectSafely was asked to host the U.S. celebrations by the European Commission and InSafe, the Brussels-based non-profit that coordinates global SID events.
A center-piece of this year’s celebration is ConnectSafely’s “One Good Thing” campaign. People around the U.S. are sharing something they’ve done, benefited from, or observed that either helps create a better Internet or uses connected technology to help create a better world. You can find these short videos and brief written statements on the blog at SaferInternetday.us and you can contribute yourself at OneGoodThing.us.
Larry Magid is co-director of ConnectSafely.org and founder of SafeKids.com. He serves as technology analyst for CBS News and a columnist for the San Jose Mercury News and a blogger at Forbes and Huffington Post. He has a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts.
