The goal of the AMeLiE project is to make the Internet a better, safer and kinder place – where we meet each other with respect, mindfulness and tolerance – this way, we want to prevent the further increase of hate speech and all the consequences that come from it – cyberbullying, isolation, extremism etc. The internet is a real place – it is part of our reality where a huge part of our daily lives take place. Or in other words: in order to take part in society you have to take part in the digital world. Therefore, as it is our aim and duty to make society a place where we can all live together in peace and harmony, the same applies to the online world.
Safer Internet Day is a global action day and campaign, happening every year on February 8, that aims to do precisely that! Make the internet a safer and better place for everyone, especially for children and young people.
Starting as an initiative of the EU SafeBorder project in 2004, the action day has grown over the years and now not only takes place in Europe but in approximately 200 countries all over the world. [1]
Worldwide, the SID is coordinated by the European Insafe network within the framework of the DIGITAL program of the European Commission.
Every year, current topics and emerging online issues are put on the agenda to raise awareness: Cyberbullying, social networks, digital identity, data security, disinformation as well as hate speech and much more.
Furthermore, some countries even chose their own special slogan or theme for each Safer Internet Day – in Germany, for example, this year’s slogan is #fitfordemocracy.
As it is not a matter of course to live in a democracy, we have to cherish and protect it – also online. In the last years, we have seen how online hate speech attacks our democratic values and fundamental rights. This year’s Safer Internet Day in Germany aims to draw attention to this and motivate young and old to stand up for our democracy and against hate online. [2]
On Safer Internet Day, everyone is encouraged to join the movement and participate: teachers, stakeholders, organisations, companies etc. The campaign provides a platform where supporters can register their activity that is planned for the day – whether it is a workshop, a large-scale event, or simply a social media campaign.
This Safer Internet Day marks the 19th time that community comes together “to reflect on how we can promote a responsible, respectful, critical and creative use of digital technologies, with the ultimate goal of fostering a better internet for all” [3].
As in 2021, the pandemic will play a crucial role in many of this years’ activities – how did the COVID-19 constraints affect our everyday lives, our wellbeing, our mental health? What risks but also – and maybe even more important – what potential lies in the use of digital media to help get through the pandemic?
Find out more about planned activities on Safer Internet Day in your country: https://www.saferinternetday.org/de/in-your-country
Sources:
[1] https://www.saferinternetday.org/de/about
[2] https://www.klicksafe.de/ueber-klicksafe/safer-internet-day/sid-2022/
[3] https://www.saferinternetday.org/de/news/article?id=6888073
