Aiming to make the internet a safer place
Motherwell’s MSP Clare Adamson is backing an initiative that aims to ensure the internet is a safer place for young people.
The parliamentarian has thrown her support behind Safer Internet Day 2022.
The purpose of the annual initiative, run by the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), Childnet International and the internet safety charity SWGFL, is to facilitate a national conversation about online safety and child protection online as well as promoting responsible, respectful and creative use of technology.
Ms Adamson is an “IWF Champion” supporting the organisation to raise awareness of how to report online child sexual abuse imagery and eliminate this type of harmful content entirely.
Research from UK Safer Internet Centre found that nearly 60 per cent of young people want to learn more about how to play online games safely.
Research has also found that more than seven out of 10 young people who play games online say it makes them happy, while almost half (46 per cent) have received requests to meet up with strangers in person.
The theme for this year’s Safer Internet Day is: All fun and games? Exploring respect and relationships online.
Ms Adamson said: “Digital technology has brought innumerable benefits to our society. Gaming, social media, and live streaming will continue to play an ever-expanding role in how young people interact with one another.
“This can have huge benefits, particularly shown during the pandemic with people being isolated from one another. But there are emerging safety issues that need to be addressed.
“It has become commonplace to show a lack of respect online. A feeling of anonymity and a perceived lack of consequence for harassing or abusive behaviour leads to some people behaving in ways they wouldn’t contemplate offline.
“Hate directed at marginalised and vulnerable groups is all too frequent on online platforms. We cannot and should not accept any of this as inevitable; it is learned behaviour.
“That is why having these national conversations is so important.”
The MSP also had a message for parents, adding: “Parents and carers speaking with young people is key to understanding their online experiences and addressing these issues.
“So please, use the resources promoted as part of Safer Internet Day. Speak to your child about their experiences and be open with them about online safety. Respect, compassion, and humanity are every bit as important online as they are on the street.”
Free advice and informational resources are available for parents, carers, teachers, young people, and a range of health and social care professionals at: saferinternet.org. uk/guide-and-resource/parentsand-carers