This year, we celebrate Safer Internet Day for the nineteenth consecutive year – and once again in a mainly digital environment. Over time, Safer Internet Day has grown from an EU initiative to a truly global celebration, presently involving millions of people in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. The day is organised on behalf of the European Commission by theInsafe network (coordinated by European Schoolnet, a network of 33 European Ministries of Education) and INHOPE(the International Association of Internet Hotlines). 

Safer Internet Day is a call to action for every stakeholder to contribute to a safer and better internet, especially for its youngest users. As 2022 will be the European Year of Youth, we want to highlight the importance of ensuring that the largest possible number of children and young people are adequately prepared to handle digital technologies responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively. Only then can they experience the digital world as a place of knowledge, culture and opportunities. 

For this edition, we will also be reflecting on the outcomes of the recent #DigitalDecade4YOUth consultation work which heard directly from Europe’s children and young people (and those that support them) on How to make Europe’s Digital Decade fit for children and young people?. We need to ensure that, collectively, we promote, protect, respect and fulfil the rights of all children and young people when they go online. This work will be reflected in an updated Better Internet for Kids (BIK) strategy, due imminently. 

Hans Martens, Head of Digital Citizenship at European Schoolnet and Coordinator of the Insafe network said: “The past two years have shown how heavily the pandemic has impacted on many young people, but they have equally highlighted that youth remain resourceful and inventive in designing a better, safer online experience. With 2022 being declared the European Year of Youth, we anticipate a year packed with initiatives to include youth priorities and participation in relevant EU policy areas. For this edition of Safer Internet Day, we will build on the success of last year’s #DigitalDecade4YOUth consultation work on how to make Europe’s Digital Decade fit for children and young people, and look forward to the imminent release of the updated Better Internet for Kids (BIK) Strategy. Once again, we hope Safer Internet Day can be an opportunity for everyone to make a positive difference to the online world, on the day itself and throughout the year.”

Sarah Willoughby, Content and Communications Expert and SID Campaign Coordinator at European Schoolnet, who leads the global coordination activities for the campaign said: “The Safer Internet Day community continues to grow each year, and this 19th edition will be no exception. Once again, we celebrate SID against a backdrop of ongoing COVID restrictions, but it is clear that many stakeholders have embraced the challenges, finding innovative – and often hybrid – ways to mark the day. We’re looking forward to watching events unfold across the globe, as we all come together to promote positive online experiences for children and young people.” 

We invite you to join the movement and raise awareness about the celebrations taking place around the world. To learn more about Safer Internet Day: 

• Visit the Safer Internet Day website and discover how you can get involved and what’s happening around you to celebrate the day; 
• Discover the Safer Internet Day 2022 infographic; 
• Stay up-to-date on the latest developments on Twitter (@safeinternetday) and Facebook (@SaferInternetDay), and with the hashtags #SID2022 and #SaferInternetDay, as most of the activities will unfold on social media. 
• This year, for the first time, we will also celebrate SID2022 on the Better Internet for Kids’ LinkedIn account. 

On behalf of the Better Internet for Kids team, we wish you all a happy Safer Internet Day!