As my kids grow up, I’m beginning to feel concerned about the amount of information and ideas they are exposed to via the internet. My kids don’t really get to surf the internet at home, but I know Joey gets a chance to do that during her weekly computer lessons in school. And with internet occupying such a big chunk of our lifestyles nowadays, it is a matter of time before my kids will be spending a lot of time online. As parents, my main concern would be how to manage the inevitable and derive as much good as I can out of that.
Have you heard of this global initiative called The Safer Internet Day (SID), which seeks to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people? Observed around the world every year on the second day of the second week of the second month, the Safer Internet Day started in 2004 in Europe. At the 10th anniversary of SID in 2013, Singapore participated in the Safer Internet Day for the first time, spearheaded by the Media Literacy Council. In fact, today is the Safer Internet Day this year!
When I heard about this year’s Safer Internet Day theme, ‘Let’s Create A Better Internet Together”, I thought that is so apt and important. The Media Literacy Council hopes to bring across the importance for netizens to expand the core values of – respect, empathy, responsibility and integrity – into the digital space so that we can help build more pleasant environment for all, especially children. I absolutely agree – our children are impressionable and easily influenced. We need to set a good example for them, and guide them when they venture into this exciting online world. You can also join in by pledging on www.betterinternet.sg before 31 March 2014, to make your stand for safer internet.
In line with the Campaign, the Media Literacy Council has launched a series of video clips with parents, bloggers and professionals sharing on various topics concerning a safer internet. I was honored to be able to play a part in one of the videos, and shared on a topic very close to my heart – Being a good example to my kids. :)
To view all the videos in this series, go to http://www.medialiteracycouncil.sg/Resources/Pages/parents.aspx
Together with this series of videos, MLC will also launch a parental handbook for parents entitled “Clique Click- Bringing up children in the digital age” and a public education campaign as part of their initiatives for Safer Internet Day 2014. Safer Internet Day is an annual global initiative which aims to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones amongst children and young people. The parenting handbook provides tips on how parents can navigate the internet and social media with their young children. You may download the PDF version at http://www.medialiteracycouncil.sg/Lists/Resources/Attachments/176/Clique%20Click.pdf. I believe it would be a useful resource for you.
Let’s all play a part to make our internet a safer place for our kids to roam in. :)
Technorati Tags: Safer Internet Day 2014,Media Literacy Council
