4/2/2010 - Safer Internet Day 2010: Think B4 U Post!

Schools throughout Cumbria will be discussing responsible and safer use of online technology and mobile phones as part of Safer Internet Day (Tuesday 9th Feb.) The theme of this year's campaign, Think B4 U Post!, is the need for children and teenagers to manage their online identity, including publishing pictures and videos in a responsible way.

Young people should be made aware that they can control their online identity by using the privacy settings offered by social networing services, selecting friends online that they can trust, publishing their own photos after thinking carefully about the potential consequences and pictures of their friends with their permission.

Young people do not always realise that personal information they post remains online and can be accessed by anyone, including parents, teachers, future employers and predators.

Innocent pictures can easily be displayed in a completely different context, leading to embarrassment and bullying.

A survey by EU Kids Online suggested

* 1 in 3 teens have received an unwanted sexual comment

* Approximately 50% give out personal information

* 57% of 9-19 year olds have come across pornography

* 34% of teenagers report being cyber bullied Jeff Haslam, E-safety advisor, children's services, Cumbria County Council, said:

"Here in Cumbria, like elsewhere, young people do not recognise the potential dangers they are putting themselves, or friends, in.

We need to educate children, teachers and parents about the need to be safe online."

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Paul Bell on 01228 226337.