As in the previous year, a Safer Internet Day multimedia landing page was created to show the wide range of activities and offers happening around the day, as well as to bring together different target groups in one central place.

Landing page for SID 2022. Credits: German Safer Internet Centre

As attacks on democracy are increasingly taking place in social network platforms, instant messaging groups and online forums, the main focus of this year’s SID campaign was on the topic of democracy and how to make it strong and resilient: “Fit for Democracy – Strong for Society”. 

In klicksafe’s new teaching material, young people are able to “get fit” at various training stations – in analogy to a real gym – where different topics and situations that they encounter in real and digital life are addressed in a creative and fun way. The title of the new teaching material #fitfordemocracy also served as the main national topic hashtag for this year’s edition of the observance. 

The corresponding online campaign #fitfordemocracy started with a special campaign design already one week before SID. In the days leading up to 8 February 2022, various activities were carried out and materials were published on the landing page. The campaign also included participatory elements – e.g. a profile picture generator and a join-in action “What are you fighting for?” - so that everyone could get involved. 

As in the previous year, klicksafe additionally setup a social wall displaying all activities related to Safer Internet Day on the various social networks in one place. klicksafe and many other participants shared their messages, allowing for the hashtag #SaferInternetDay to enter the top 10 trending hashtags on Twitter in Germany on the day itself and rank #1 for six hours. 

Supporters of the day included politicians, scientists, journalists, representatives of media or tech companies. The Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Anne Spiegel, shared a video message on the importance of this year’s Safer Internet Day focus topic.  

Klicksafe’s activities and educational materials for SID included: 

• The new teaching material "#FitForDemocracy"
• Two campaign videos: "Your democr@cy" and "Is the Internet threatening our democracy?" with two popular German influencers @gardinia_ and @jokahtululu)
• An online quiz for young people on democracy
• Youth talk videos
• An expert talk on the klicksafe podcast
• An Instagram live discussion with the Minister President of Rhineland Palatinate Malu Dreyer and campaign Ambassador Jokah Tululu
• A representative online survey amongst young people between 14-24 years. 

All resources are still available on klicksafe’s website. 

The evaluation of the SID media coverage showed that this year’s edition and theme were very well received and disseminated and brought democracy values to the attention of many. 

Despite the circumstances created by the still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s SID was very successful for the German Safer Internet Centre in creating awareness for offering different ways to engage with the very topical subject of democracy.

Find out more about Safer Internet Day in Germany. Alternatively, find more information about the work of the German Safer Internet Centre, including their awareness raising, helpline, hotline and youth participation services – or find similar information for other Safer Internet Centres throughout Europe.