The campaign is led by the UK Safer Internet Centre and this year celebrates young people’s role in creating a safer internet, whether that’s whilst gaming and creating content, or interacting with their friends and peers.
Resources are available for parents, carers and professionals on the pages of the UK Safer Internet Centre, to support conversations with young people about respect and relationships in online gaming.
Locally, Safer Internet Day 2022 is supported by the Shetland Public Protection Committee, which organises events throughout the year, including internet safety sessions in Shetland schools, as well as Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) training.
The Our Peer Education Project (OPEN) in Shetland will also be sharing social media posts this week about online safety, covering themes such as grooming, sextortion and online reputations.
PC Carole Smith of the Shetland Public Protection Committee, said:
"With more young people involved in online gaming, connecting with each other and creating communities, the messages of Safer Internet Day 2022 are very relevant. Online gaming can develop useful life skills like concentration and teamwork, and social media can help young people to express themselves and to connect with friends.
“We all want to support young people to have healthy and respectful relationships while they’re online – but we also want them to have the skills to feel safe in these spaces and to know what to do if they encounter hate or bullying directed at them or someone else.”
More information on Safer Internet Day 2022 and links to resources and activities can be found at: https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2022