Safer Internet Day (SID) is an international event taking place in February every year, which promotes a safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones by children and young people across the world.
Over the years, Safer Internet Day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar. Starting as an initiative of the European Union SafeBorders project in 2004 and taken up by the Insafe network co-funded by the EU, Safer Internet Day has grown beyond its traditional geographic zone and is now celebrated in around 150 countries worldwide, and across six of the world’s seven continents.
From cyberbullying to social networking each year SID aims to address the current issues that influence especially young users online. Internet is a powerful tool with enormous opportunities for learning, enhancing skills and acquiring new abilities and knowledge as well as participating in society. However, with opportunities come risks. The goal of SID is to raise awareness but also to help by concrete actions to create not only a safe place but also a better place to be when being online. To achieve this goal SID offers the possibility for children, young students, teachers, parents, industry, policy makers, decision takers and other stakeholders to co-create better internet.
This year's Safer Internet Day celebrations are taking place on Tuesday, 11 February. In 2020 the day continues under last year’s theme ‘Together for a better internet’ to underline that all of us play a part in creating a better internet. Digital world does not recognise any borders, and therefore we need everyone to join in and work with others in a way that ensures a better digital experience for all of us, and especially for the younger users.
The European Commission will mark the day with an expert workshop on exploring the potential of Artificial Intelligence in fight against online child sexual abuse material and with a youth-led initiative.
Past editions
- SID 2019: In the spirit of the slogan ‘Together for a better internet’ the Commission announced the creation of the new Expert Group on Safer Internet for Children to help improve coordination and cooperation between EU Member States in keeping children safe on the internet.
- SID 2018: The slogan ‘Create, connect and share respect: A better internet starts with you’ invited us to engage with others in a respectful way for a better digital experience.
- SID 2017: The slogan ‘Be the change: Unite for a better internet’ emphasized the importance of collaboration and unity.
- SID 2016: The slogan ‘Play your part for a better internet’ encouraged each of us to take the responsibility in our own hands.
More information
More information on how the European Commission will mark Safer Internet Day 2020 will be published on the day.
To discover resources on online safety and more information about the network of European Safer Internet Centres visit the Better Internet for Kids website.
To find out what is happening in your country check the Safer Internet Day website.
Team responsible: Accessibility, Multilingualism & Safer Internet (Unit G.3)