Internet Safety Day - Promoting secure and accountable digital platform utilization
In the heart of Mönchengladbach, at Level 3 in the Minto Shopping Center on HindenburgstraĂe, a significant event took place on Tuesday, February 11. The Mönchengladbach Police, White Ring Mönchengladbach, and Bildungspark Mönchengladbach joined forces to host Safer Internet Day, with the goal of educating children, young people, and their parents about internet safety and responsible digital media use.
The event, themed "No Likes for Lies", was a platform for discussions on critical internet safety topics such as misinformation, hateful online content, cyberbullying, grooming, sexting, and sextortion. Experts delved into these subjects, providing valuable insights to the attendees.
One of the key aspects emphasized was the importance of regular conversations between parents and children about the platforms and content they engage with online. These conversations serve as a means to guide and support children's internet use, ensuring they navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Establishing clear rules and boundaries for children's online activity was another focus. As children grow and their skills develop, these rules should be updated to reflect their changing capabilities and the evolving digital landscape.
The police offered five tips to parents to help their children use digital media responsibly and safely. These included keeping oneself informed about the internet, maintaining an understanding of its possibilities, regardless of a child's age, and building trust with children by assuring them they can come to parents with questions and problems.
Visitors had the opportunity to test their internet knowledge with a quiz and participate in a QR code rally for young people about social media. Collaboration with other parents, teachers, or educational professionals was also encouraged to discuss internet safety and share ideas, providing additional insights into the topic.
The event underscored the importance of keeping the police informed if a crime related to internet safety occurs. It is crucial that such incidents are reported promptly to ensure appropriate action can be taken.
The most important skills young people need to critically evaluate manipulative content on social media were highlighted. These include critical thinking, media literacy, an understanding of digital power structures and business models, the ability to recognize disinformation and fake news, empathy for digital life worlds, and participation in digital discussions.
As we navigate the digital age, it is essential that we equip our children with the tools they need to stay safe online. Safer Internet Day 2023 in Mönchengladbach was a significant step towards achieving this goal, fostering a community that prioritizes internet safety for the future generations.
