50 Countries Worldwide Mark Safer Internet Day

Society | February 10, 2009, Tuesday // 00:00
50 Countries Worldwide Mark Safer Internet Day: 50 Countries Worldwide Mark Safer Internet Day Sofia marks Safer Internet Day with a discussion to be held within the frame of the national "Children and Internet Safety" campaign. Photo by Microsoft Bulgaira

Millions of people all over the world mark Tuesday the 6th edition of Safer Internet Day, including more than 500 events in 50 countries, focused on this year's theme of protecting children online.

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Commission have joined forces to mark Safer Internet Day, ITU reported.

The EC's Ins@fe Network will launch a Safer Internet Day virtual exhibition which will host pavilions in support of EC's efforts to raise awareness among youngsters aged 12 to 17 regarding the risks they may face online. In the pavilions, visitors can learn more about initiatives undertaken by the 50 participating countries.

Sofia marked Safer Internet Day with a discussion to be held within the frame of the national "Children and Internet Safety" campaign.

The discussion has been organized by Microsoft Bulgaria, Evrokom Cable and Az-deteto.com. Students in grades 6 to 8 from several Sofia schools, their parents and the hosts of the Bulgarian National Radio morning block, Simo and Bogdana, who are also the faces of the" Children and Safer Internet" campaign talked about their internet experiences and defined rules for safe internet use.

The campaign has been organized by Microsoft Bulgaria for the second consecutive year with the media partnership of BG Radio, BTA,, Bulphoto, "Pari" daily, Computerworld, the "Nine Months" magazine, TV 7, GTV, Dir.bgq, Ipo.bg, Deteto.info and Az-jenata.com.

"Children are among the most active and most vulnerable participants online. According to recent surveys, over 60 per cent of children and teenagers talk in chat rooms on a daily basis. Three in four children online are willing to share personal information about themselves and their family in exchange for goods and services. One in five children will be targeted by a predator or paedophile each year. Protecting children in cyberspace is, therefore, clearly our duty," a joined ITU and EC press release states.

"Children are very resourceful in making the most of online services such as social networking sites and mobile phones," said Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Information Society and Media. "But many still underestimate the hidden risks of using these, from cyber-bullying to sexual grooming online. Today, I call upon all decision-makers, from both the public and the private sector, to listen and learn from children and to improve awareness strategies and tools to protect minors."

"The Internet binds the whole world together. The safety of children who use it is a concern for everyone. I am therefore very happy that ITU is associated with us in doing this, today on Safer Internet Day, and all year round," Reding added.

"Child online safety must be on the global agenda," said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun TourГ©. "We must ensure that everyone is aware of the dangers for children online. And we want to promote and strengthen the many outstanding efforts that are being made around the world, such as the Safer Internet Program, to limit these dangers."

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