Do you know tomorrow is the Safer Internet Day?
Safer Internet Day is an annual international event aiming to raise awareness about safe and responsible use of new technologies, especially among young people. It is organised by Insafe, the European internet safety network. One of the key themes for this year is social networking.
So what does it have to do with our everyday life?
Technology can be our friend or foe, both inside and outside the educational settings. While social networking and instant communcation tools have brought us valuable opportunities for sharing, collaboration and get our voice heard, we also need to beware of the possible implications of our online actions. We might put ourselves at risk, for example, if we:
- post inappropriate, offensive or illegal comments or materials (photos, video, sound clips, etc.)
- disclose personal information which reveals our identity
- use technological tools as a means to attacking or harassing others (i.e. cyber-bullying)
Once an item is posted online, it can be copied, manipulated and circulated, and likely to exist forever. It is therefore crucial for us as individual learners, as well as part of the wider community, to be aware of the impact of our actions and use social networking sites and other tools sensibly. Any abuse or malpractice should be reported immediately. Only in this way can we can truly enjoy the benefits. Some tips for keeping yourself safe in an online environment can be found here.
Posted by wingyinchan 
