Safer Internet Day has become a key event in the global online safety calendar since its beginnings as part of the EU SafeBorders project in 2004. It is now marked in some 170 countries worldwide. This year Safer Internet Day is celebrated on Tuesday 10 February and the theme is “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI”.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems to have exploded into our lives in the past few years, and with current adoption rates it seems only likely to increase its place in our everyday lives.
While there are many positive uses for this technology, there are also intrinsic risks as evidenced by the misuse of the AI tool Grok to create non-consensual deepfake images of individuals including children.
The theme of making ‘safe choices’ while using technology is at the heart of the Office of the Data Protection Authority’s new Parents’ Workshop, which we are delivering in partnership with the Bailiwick's schools.
Run by Bailiwick Data Protection Commissioner Brent Homan, these workshops share practical tips to help parents and carers ensure their children are appropriately safeguarded while using three of the most widely used online platforms: Snapchat, TikTok and Roblox.
“These interactive, informal workshops provide actionable advice on supporting our children in a digital era that holds both promise and peril,” said Commissioner Homan. “Protecting children’s rights is a priority for our office and we have developed a suite of tools to do just that, from conducting classroom sessions in schools to engaging with tech companies about safe practices. In our new workshops for parents, we focus on the most popular platforms for children and young people and how you can make your child’s experience safer.”
The ODPA is holding four workshops in March:
- 10 March St Sampson’s High School 17:30-18:30
- 11 March Amherst Primary School 18:00-19:00
- 12 March Castel Primary School 18:00-19:00
- 19 March Sixth Form Centre 18:00-19:00
For resources, visit the Safer Internet Day’s homepage How to engage with Safer Internet Day on social media safely - UK Safer Internet Centre or download the ODPA's tip sheet for parents.