What is the significance of Safer Internet Day 2025?
Safer Internet Day (SID) 2025 is observed on February 11th every year. This year, the theme by UK Safer Internet Centre is “Too Good to Be True? Protecting Yourself and Others from Scams Online.” With online scams evolving, especially with technologies like generative AI, this year’s discussions encompasses three key issues- how young people can stay safe, the role of governments and industry in tackling fraud, and the support available. By raising awareness and equipping individuals with the right tools, Safer Internet Day aims to create a safer digital space for all. It is a global initiative aimed at promoting a safer and more responsible online world. With cyber threats increasing and personal data more vulnerable than ever, it’s crucial for parents, educators, and businesses to prioritise online safety and data protection.
This day is fast approaching and is a timely reminder for all of us to be more mindful of our online presence. The digital world continues to evolve rapidly, and while the internet can be a great tool for learning and entertainment, it also poses significant risks if not navigated safely.
This article will explore key concerns about online safety, with practical steps for both individuals and organisations to protect themselves and those they interact with online.
What Do Children Understand About Online Privacy?
Research reveals that many children struggle to grasp the full extent of how their data is collected and used online. A study found that 1 in 10 children aged 11-16 have had their passwords misused to access personal information. In some cases, children are more likely to be concerned about direct misuse by individuals rather than automated online threats. While they even worry about cyberbullying and hackers, many are unaware of how companies track their online behaviour through cookies, ads, and social media data collection. For example, 1 in 5 children say they’ve fallen for an online scam or had their social media accounts hacked. This lack of awareness increases their vulnerability to identity theft, phishing scams, and data breaches.
So, how can we bridge this gap in understanding?
Steps Parents Can Take to Protect Their Children Online:
Start the Conversation Early: The key to online safety is communication. Talk to your children regularly about the importance of privacy settings and encourage them to ask questions when they don’t understand something online.
Set Up Parental Controls: Many platforms provide tools that allow parents to control the content their children access and how they interact with others online. Make use of these settings and customise them for different age groups.
Teach Children to Recognise Scams: Children are often unaware of the risks posed by scams. Teach them how to spot suspicious links, messages, and websites that might be phishing for personal information.
Monitor Digital Footprints: Discuss with your children what they share online and remind them that anything posted on the internet can remain there forever. This includes social media posts, pictures, and even game chats.
Be Aware of ‘Sharenting’: Sharenting—when parents post about their children online—can lead to identity theft and privacy breaches. Always ask your children if they’re comfortable with photos or details about them being shared online.
Also read: Online Safety Measures for Schools
What Can Organisations Do to Protect Children and Clients Online?
Organisations have a duty to protect not only their employees but also their customers from online risks. Many businesses collect and hold vast amounts of personal data.
But are they doing enough to safeguard that information?
Here are a few steps Organisations should follow to ensure they are safe online:
Implement Robust Data Protection Policies: Ensure your organisation follows strict guidelines for data protection, including complying with regulations such as GDPR. This protects both employees and clients and builds trust with your audience.
Provide Regular Online Safety Training: Employees should receive ongoing training about safe online practices, recognising phishing attempts, and how to secure personal and professional data. Ensuring your staff are well-informed is one of the first lines of defence against cybercrime.
Review Privacy Settings and Terms & Conditions: Clear, user-friendly privacy settings and terms of use are crucial for compliance and for creating transparency with your clients. Make sure that clients, especially children, can easily understand how their data is being used.
Ensure Data Minimisation: Collect only the data you need and ensure that it’s stored securely. This reduces the risk of misuse in case of a data breach.
Keep Software Updated: Regularly update all software and systems, ensuring they are protected with the latest security patches. Cybercriminals often exploit vulnerabilities in outdated systems to steal personal data.
Take Action on Safer Internet Day: Corporate Organisations
List of Do’s and Dont’s for Online Safety
Do:
- Educate your employees and clients about online privacy risks.
- Regularly review and update your cybersecurity practices.
- Be transparent about how you collect, store, and share personal data.
- Use strong encryption for all sensitive data, whether it’s stored or transmitted.
- Encourage staff to report suspicious activities or breaches immediately.
Don’t:
- Ignore software updates or patches—vulnerabilities are often exploited in outdated systems.
- Share client data with third parties without proper consent.
- Assume your organisation won’t be a target. Cybercriminals often target businesses of all sizes.
- Use weak passwords. Ensure staff are using strong, unique passwords, and implement two-factor authentication wherever possible.
- Overlook the importance of GDPR and other data protection laws in the countries where you operate.
Watch: Data Privacy Tips Video
TenIntelligence Thoughts
As we mark Safer Internet Day 2025, let’s take a moment to think about how we can all do our part in keeping our digital environments safer. Whether you’re a parent trying to safeguard your child’s online world, or a business aiming to protect your clients, it’s clear that we all have a responsibility.
Are you doing enough to protect the children in your life and your clients?
If you’re unsure where to start or need guidance on improving your organisation’s online safety practices, please free to submit your query or to reach out to lynsey.hanson@tenintel.com.
Let’s make the internet a safer place for everyone!
Written by
Lynsey Hanson | Global Data Protection Officer
