Latest news with #SaferInternetDay
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Yahoo
Virgin Media customers told to check if they're entitled to a free upgrade
Virgin Media has issued an important update to customers, which could see them get a free upgrade. Customers with old equipment are currently being sent letters from a UK Internet Service Provider (ISP) to share that they could get free upgrades. Plus, even if you don't receive a letter from the ISP, Virgin will still update your outdated router. According to the Mirror, when the new box arrives, customers will get a better experience while making sure their Virgin device is safe. Did you know that today is Safer Internet Day? 🌐 We're working to help parents & guardians keep their kids safe online & protected from scams and fraud 💖 Check out our advice & tips from our Find the Right Words campaign 💡 Find out more 👉 — Virgin Media ❤️ (@virginmedia) February 11, 2025 Some of Virgin's older Wi-Fi routers no longer offer key security updates that stop bugs and cyberattacks. Under a recent update in a law by the UK Government, ISPs are now responsible for offering and updating Wi-Fi devices to make sure they are kept safe. At the initial announcement of the law update, Julia Lopez, UK Data and Digital Infrastructure Minister said: 'Today marks a new era where consumers can have greater confidence that their smart devices, such as phones and broadband routers, are shielded from cyber threats, and the integrity of personal privacy, data and finances better protected.' If you receive a letter from Virgin Media, it's key that you accept the delivery of the new box for security reasons. However, if you do not receive a letter, you can check to see if you're Wi-Fi router is outdated by checking whether it is a Hub 1 or a Hub 2. You can check whether your Wi-Fi router needs an update via Virgin Media. Explaining what the law update means for Virgin customers, ISP shares: 'Customers of broadband ISP Virgin Media (O2), specifically those still using some of the provider's oldest routers (i.e. Hub 2 AC, Hub 2 and Hub 1), have recently become the latest group to receive a letter inviting them to upgrade to the HUB 4.0 (ARRIS TG3492LG-VMB) 'at not extra' cost. Recommended Reading Virgin Media O2 reveals how to earn cash on unwanted tech Virgin Media O2 to switch off 3G in April - devices impacted Virgin Media customers can access over 100 hidden channels 'This is because the old hardware no longer receives security updates.' Adding: 'The provider has long been running various Hub upgrade programmes, often for different reasons, and this is just a continuation of that approach. 'In this case, the latest upgrade effort reflects a combination of changes that were introduced under both the recent Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act (PSTI) and the Telecoms (Security) Act (TSA).'
Associated Press
25-02-2025
- Associated Press
Building a Better Internet for Children and Young People
On the second Tuesday of every February, more than 100 countries around the world come together to celebrate Safer Internet Day. This global day of awareness aims to empower everyone to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively, especially children and young people. At Gen, Cyber Safety is our focus all year long. Over the past few years, we've developed new tools and platforms that address the most common issues that young people face online, from scams to cyberbullying to protecting personal information. We continue to partner with leading nonprofit organizations around the world to provide children, young people and their families with the resources they need to navigate life online with confidence and care. Empowering Kids and Families to Have The Smart Talk Norton, one of our trusted Cyber Safety brands, partners with National PTA to offer The Smart Talk, a free resource that helps families have ongoing conversations about how to use the internet responsibly. The platform has grown to more than 12,000 users since launch, and Norton continues to provide technical support, keeping The Smart Talk up to date with the most current information about Cyber Safety best practices. In addition to offering this tool for free online, Norton makes possible grants to local PTAs to host live PTA Connected: The Smart Talk workshops with parents, children and educators. 'The Smart Talk [helped bring] awareness to our families that healthily social media and internet safety is more than just a password,' said one grantee. 'This program opened heartfelt, honest conversations and set plans in place to protect one another in an increasingly cyber world.' Helping Young People Build Digital Skills Norton also partners with Discovery Education, a global leader in education technology, on My Digital Life, a multi-language platform dedicated to enhancing Cyber Safety for children in grades 3-8. The platform contains lesson plans, videos and interactive tools for teachers, students and parents that outline the best ways students can avoid viruses, detect misinformation, protect their privacy and more. My Digital Life expanded into schools across the U.K. in 2024, bringing its total reach to more than 264,000 students globally. The free website is now translated into Spanish and Arabic with French and German being added later this year. Learn more about this partnership here. In India, Norton works with Bal Raksha Bharat (BRB), also known as Save the Children – India, to train schoolteachers on how to instill strong digital habits in their students. Over the past year, the program reached more than 10,000 students, parents and educators across 40 schools in Pune, Maharashtra and Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu, with tailored lessons for students aged 10-12 and 13-16. Since the program launched in 2021, more than 27,600 children have taken online safety classes, while 1,800 teachers and more than 4,600 parents have also received online safety orientation. Additionally, we recognize that not all young people experience the internet in the same way. For example, young women face a unique set of challenges when navigating life online, and we believe they should have resources that address these needs. That's why we partner with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) to offer Surf Smart 2.0, a unique badge-earning program that gives girls and young women aged 5-25 the basics of Cyber Safety and responsible digital decision-making. Between April 2023 and April 2024, WAGGGS estimates that this partnership has reached more than 42,000 girls and young women, including more than 17,800 who earned the Surf Smart 2.0 badge. In total, since its inception, Surf Smart has empowered over 850,000 young people in over 100 countries, providing them with vital tools to help protect themselves online. We also support The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ+ young people, who have experienced an increased need for the organization's services in recent months. We provide ongoing support to The Trevor Project's affirming online community for LGBTQ+ young people. We also co-developed the organization's Guide to Online Safety for LGBTQ+ Young People, a free digital resource to help queer young people navigate the digital world. The guide was mentioned in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention as an example of 'What Success Looks Like' in specialty resources for particular communities. We hope this year's Safer Internet Day continues to inspire a better internet for all. These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation. For more on our Cyber Safety education and training efforts, visit our latest Social Impact Report.
Arab News
17-02-2025
- Arab News
Safer internet for our youth is a collective responsibility
I can still remember one of my earliest encounters with the internet when I was a freshman student at the George Washington University, searching for information on English literature for my English class. I had just been introduced to the university's online library database and it felt overwhelming yet thrilling. I typed 'Romantic poets' into the search bar and, within seconds, dozens of journal articles and book excerpts filled the screen. I was amazed at how much information was at my fingertips. Gone were the days of flipping through endless library catalogs. That moment marked the beginning of my deep appreciation for the digital world as a gateway to knowledge and discovery. The internet has become an indispensable part of modern life, connecting billions, fostering innovation and providing access to information like never before. It is a widely accessible and powerful tool for communication, connection, education, commerce — and entertainment too. However, this very interconnectedness has also created vulnerabilities, some of which have unfortunately led to a decline in online safety. The speed of the internet has meant the quick relay of helpful knowledge, but also the rapid spread of misinformation. The rise of anonymity has protected some people but emboldened others to do things online that they would not do in person. It can amplify anything — a show of empathy but also trolling and cyberbullying. A safer internet is particularly important for younger audiences, whose sense of themselves — and the world at large — is still being formed. So, how do we make and keep the internet safer? This is a question that comes up regularly, not just on Safer Internet Day, which was marked last week. The short answer is: collectively. The speed of the internet has meant the quick relay of helpful knowledge, but also the rapid spread of misinformation As consumers, we need to be more critical of the information we consume online, practicing media literacy and fact-checking before sharing. We must be responsible digital citizens and role models by treating others with respect, while also reporting harmful content when we see it. Schools have a role in educating people on how to use the internet and for what. Coders must build security into the very fabric of online platforms. Platforms where large communities connect and create content are also stepping up and looking at how they can enhance safety measures, while still delivering an optimal and tailored user experience. For example, TikTok features like 'Restricted Mode' limit exposure to mature or complex themes, while 'Comment Care Mode' helps with enhanced comment filtering, thereby ensuring content remains age-appropriate. The content community platform is refining its 'Family Pairing' feature and tweaking direct messaging settings, while it also has a 'Screen Time Management' tool that promotes healthier digital habits and scheduled breaks, with activity dashboards. Youth safety enhancements further strengthen protections for younger users, including default privacy settings and content restrictions, encouraging safer and more mindful engagement. We can all contribute to a safer and more positive online experience, ensuring that the internet remains a force for good Keeping the internet safe is not someone else's responsibility; it is ours. It is a collective effort that requires collaboration, action and contributions from platforms, coders, governments, schools, communities and individual users. We can all contribute to a safer and more positive online experience, ensuring that the internet remains a force for good in the world. This is not just a challenge, it is an opportunity to be part of shaping a digital future that harbors online safety, champions cyber resilience and empowers meaningful connections to information, entertainment and each other, for everyone. - Dr. Hamed Al-Neyadi is a member of the TikTok MENAT Safety Advisory Council.
Sharjah 24
15-02-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
SSSD celebrates graduation of 'Safe Digital Life Ambassadors'
The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Ahmed Ibrahim Al Meel, Chairman of the Sharjah Social Services Department, along with a group of officials, representatives of partner entities, and parents. During the ceremony, 214 children aged 8 to 16 years graduated to become ambassadors specialised in promoting positive behaviours in the digital space. Three strategic partners and 11 trainers were also honoured, each in their specialty, who contributed to the success of the programme, in addition to honouring special categories of children with Down syndrome and disabilities who were part of this initiative. Enhancing Digital Security The programme was launched in its first edition on February 8, 2024, coinciding with the Safer Internet Day, and was carefully designed to achieve noble educational and social goals, as it seeks to enable students to acquire leadership and self-development skills, with a focus on instilling leadership values and a spirit of initiative in them. During this, the programme went through several stages, starting with a process of selecting and carefully evaluating participants, followed by intensive training according to specialised axes in cooperation with entities with extensive experience. The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority contributed to providing technical empowerment to participants, while the Sharjah Broadcasting Authority, through the Sharjah Media Training Centre, provided media empowerment that enhances the ambassadors' capabilities in effective communication, in addition to the cognitive empowerment provided by the department's accredited social education specialists through the training programme (Safe Digital Quality of Life), which includes 7 main axes in developing digital awareness. Tangible results and achievements The programme achieved remarkable results in terms of enhancing digital awareness, as the total number of participants reached 401 participants from various segments of society across the Emirate of Sharjah, including 145 participants in the city of Sharjah, 50 participants in Al Hamriyah area, in addition to 61 participants in the city of Khorfakkan, as well as 51 in the city of Kalba, 25 participants in Al Batayeh, 21 participants in the city of Madam, in addition to the city of Al Dhaid with the participation of 17 participants, as well as 16 participants in the city of Mleiha and 15 in the city of Dibba Al Hisn. 49 specialised training courses were organised within the programme, ranging from 26 courses entitled "Digital Quality of Life", 20 specialised courses in "Digital Transformation", and 3 courses aimed at enhancing awareness of "cybersecurity". Institutional commitment to protect children and society In this context, Maryam Majid Al Shamsi, Executive Director of the Branches Sector at the Sharjah Social Services Department and supervisor of the programme, confirmed that protecting children and society from digital risks is at the top of the department's priorities. She praised the vital role played by the partners in achieving the programme's objectives, noting that the success of such initiatives depends on institutional integration and cooperation with the relevant authorities. Al Shamsi added that the 'Safe Digital Life Ambassadors' programme aspires to be part of an integrated system within the 'Awareness Ambassadors' initiatives, which also include 'Volunteer Ambassadors', 'Protection Ambassadors', and 'Parental Honour Ambassadors'. Al Shamsi concluded by saying that the department seeks through this programme to achieve the sustainability of digital awareness and enhance ethical values in the use of modern technology, which contributes to building a safe and sustainable digital society that keeps pace with rapid technological developments. It is worth noting that this initiative is one of the pioneering efforts in the field of spreading awareness about the importance of digital security and safe behaviours on the Internet, which enhances the ability of future generations to interact positively with the digital world and achieve a sustainable future.
The Independent
14-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Is your teen addicted to social media? Here's what to do
Addiction to social media is on the rise amongst young people. And determining whether your child is addicted to social media, or simply using it more than you'd like can be tricky. According to research, almost half (48 per cent) of teenagers in Britain say they feel addicted to social media. Meanwhile, data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) found a 'sharp rise' in problematic social media use in 280,000 young people in Canada, central Asia and Europe. Tomorrow, February 11, is Safer Internet Day, which promotes responsible use of digital technology for young people. So now is a good opportunity for parents to ask themselves if their child may be addicted to social media, and take steps to deal with the problem if they are. Lee Fernandes, lead therapist at the UK Addiction Treatment Centres (UKAT) Group, says: 'Parents should be worried about social media addiction, as we know first-hand that it's a very real problem. However, there's a difference between a child using social media for longer than the parent wants them to, and the child actually having an addiction.' The WHO report, which found rates of problematic social media use among adolescents increased from 7 per cent in 2018 to 11 per cent in 2022, says such use involves addiction-like symptoms including an inability to control social media usage, experiencing withdrawal when not using it, neglecting other activities in favour of social media, and facing negative consequences in daily life due to excessive use. And it concludes that its data 'raises urgent concerns about the impact of digital technology on the mental health and wellbeing of young people.' Fernandes explains that using social media releases dopamine into the brain as a reward, and it's experiencing this neurological response that encourages young people to use social media again. 'Social media is complex in that it not only provides instant gratification via 'likes', it can be accessed 24/7, 365 days a year, which enhances the users' desire to always be on these platforms in case they miss out on something happening,' he says. 'The user can disappear into the world of social media and live their life through everyone else's online, making it incredibly difficult to value their own, real-world lives.' It may often be up to parents to look out for signs of problematic social media use, he says, as children and young people themselves may find it difficult. 'Being addicted to social media means having lost the power of choice,' he explains. 'The user can't help but go on to social media even when they know it's negatively affecting their everyday life. In children especially, this self-identification might be more difficult, so it's up to parents to watch their child's behaviour to look out for the signs and symptoms of social media addiction.' Parents should observe their child's behaviour when they're not using social media, he advises, and ask if they can still get up, shower, eat and go to school, have a healthy, verbal conversation with you and their family or friends, are still doing well at school, and if they've spent any money that they shouldn't have on social media. In addition, are you arguing with your child because of their social media use, are they getting enough sleep, and are they suffering from any physical withdrawal symptoms, like headaches and/or nausea, or do they seem physically agitated when they're not scrolling through their phone? Fernandes says: 'Observing the behaviour of the child when they're not on social media will allow parents to better understand whether their child's relationship with social media has become unhealthy and addictive in nature or not. And if they believe it has, it's crucial for them to seek professional help and advice sooner rather than later.' However, as UKAT residential rehab facilities only treat social media addiction in those aged over 16, for parents of younger children, Fernandes adds: 'Our advice would be for parents to speak to their child's GP about their social media usage. It might be that the GP can then signpost them further, or they might prescribe them a course of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to begin with.' Will Gardner, director of the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC), which coordinates Safer Internet Day in the UK, says finding balance is important to ensure social media use doesn't interfere with important areas of children's lives, like learning, sleep, exercise and hobbies. 'If social media use starts to disrupt these areas, it could be a sign your child is spending too much time online,' he warns. 'These signs can vary from child to child, so it's important to talk about these to help them recognise their own warning signs, what to do in response, and understand when they should take a break.' Gardner also suggests parents worried about the time their child spends on social media should find out what parental controls are available on each platform, and talk to their child about how to navigate social media responsibly. He says creating a Family Agreement can be a useful starting point, as this allows parents and children to agree rules around technology use that everyone's happy with, and are therefore more likely to follow. 'A family agreement also allows you as a parent to model the behaviour you want to see for your children's social media use,' he points out. 'It's important for children to experience the benefits of social media while also being aware of the potential risks. Managing the time on social media is an issue which affects children and adults alike, as these platforms are designed to be engaging and hard to step away from. 'Finding the right strategies for your family and helping each other is key.
