Safer Internet Day: How To Mindfully Engage In Online Life

It can be easy to fall down a fear-mongering rabbit hole of information about ways the internet can be dangerous and problematic. From bemoaning the possible impact of social media use on teenagers’ mental health to stressing about the ways generative AI could result in a world-ending apocalypse, society tends to be full of negative feedback about the internet. Some societal initiatives are seeking to emphasize and encourage more positive internet usage in our culture, though. One such initiative is the international program Safer Internet Day, which you can choose to celebrate in a variety of ways. If you’re interested in analyzing the internet’s impact on your mental health, consider scheduling an online or in-person session with a licensed therapist.

Safer Internet Day, online safety, and media literacy

Safer Internet Day encourages online safety and the development of a better internet and digital world. It is typically celebrated on the second day of the second week of February every year. 

Safer Internet Day was born through the European Union’s SafeBorders project in 2004, meaning it has been around for 20 years this year! The celebration was taken up by the European Safer Internet Centres program (now usually referred to as the Insafe network) in 2005. 

The Insafe network typically receives support from the European Commission to promote Safer Internet Day, and while the initiative was originally intended to focus just on promoting media literacy and the safe and stable use of digital technologies within Europe, the event is now celebrated in almost 200 countries across the globe.

Safer Internet Day can encourage the development of this better online environment specifically for children and young people, though many of its campaigns are intended to appeal to everyone who is an internet user.

The Safer Internet Day slogan for 2024 is “Together for a better internet.” The Safer Internet Day program generally relies on a community-led approach to raise awareness and disseminate resources about internet safety, and the event has developed resources for kids, students, parents, caregivers, teachers, educators, social workers, politicians, policymakers, community organizations, small and large businesses, media representatives, and the technology industry.

Ways to celebrate Safer Internet Day

If you are interested in commemorating Safer Internet Day and furthering the cause of promoting positive internet use, there may be several ways to get involved.

Ways for a parent or caregiver to celebrate

• Foster an open dialogue in your family between kids and adults about how to use the internet and the most productive ways to engage with the online world
• Teach your children ways to use the internet safely, including tablet and smartphone apps
• Act as a digital role model

Ways for teachers and educators to celebrate

• Talk to colleagues, supervisors, students, and parents/caregivers about the importance of Safer Internet Day
• Apply for a Safer Internet Day grant to receive funding for educating your students about internet safety concerns
• Plan school-wide activities, which can be for Safer Internet Day or could even be expanded to Safer Internet Week or Safer Internet Month, depending on your school’s specific needs 
• Use Safer Internet Day’s resources, many of which have been designed specifically for educators and include things like lesson plans, games to play, and assembly activities for a range of age groups to join
• Tailor your Safer Internet Day programming to fit into your school’s environment, whether you deliver it through morning announcements, advisory and homeroom periods, character development education, or digital media classes in the library
• Discuss online about what your school is doing to commemorate Safer Internet Day on your school’s official social media accounts
• Reach out to local news stations and other media outlets to see if they are interested in doing a story on your school’s Safer Internet Day events

Ways for politicians and policymakers to celebrate

• Create support systems and programs to help parents and caregivers educate their children and keep them safe online, and ensure such supports are available to all families, regardless of education/income level, citizenship status, language spoken, etc.
• Implement reasonable rules on the technology industry (and encourage technology companies to self-control as well)
• Advocate for policies that require the implementation of digital literacy education and best practices into school curricula
• Write and enact laws that are designed to keep everyone, and particularly children, safer in online spaces (age restrictions, parental controls, data transparency, defense against data breaches, cybersafety, etc.)

Ways for technology companies and organizations to celebrate

• Intentionally design internet platforms, services, and content to use when creating a safe and positive online environment for everyone, particularly children and young people
• Ensure that your connected technology platforms provide easy reach to safety advice and tools, as well as 24/7 support systems to help users safely navigate and assist with any concerns

Ways for small and large businesses to celebrate

• Host an educational event about internet safety during regular team or staff meeting times
• Sponsor or contribute toward supporting local or national Safer Internet Day initiatives

Ways for everyone to celebrate 

• Contact your country’s national Safer Internet Centre (if you are in a country within the European Union) or your country’s Safer Internet Day Committee (if you are outside of the European Union) to advocate for what you want to see addressed through official Safer Internet Day initiatives
• If you are in a country without a Safer Internet Day Committee, look into the process of forming one and receiving formal recognition from the international Safer Internet Day organization
• Discuss your experiences with and hopes for the internet on social media platforms
• Do your best to safeguard your online reputation and the online reputation of others
• Seek out positive online experiences and engagement opportunities with friends
• Treat other people with kindness and respect when online
• Using technology responsibly: Internet use and mental health

In general, there has been a lot of conversation in recent years about the potential mental health harms of internet use, particularly among teenagers who are heavy users of social media. While it’s true that there may be a correlation between levels of social media engagement and mental health concerns, the internet can be a source of both positivity and negativity. 

The internet can provide connections and support systems and bring people together who may feel disconnected from their communities, like LGBTQIA+ youth. It can also be a source of disinformation and discord that may distract from one’s “real-life” relationships.  

If you are hoping to better understand your relationship with the internet and its impact on your life, it might be helpful to talk to a mental health professional. However, with the many demands of everyday life, you may find it difficult to make time to attend a traditional in-person therapy appointment. 

Benefits of online therapy in a digital world

An example of a more positive aspect of the internet may be the availability of modern online therapy. With online therapy through a site like BetterHelp, you can speak to your therapist via video chat, phone call, or in-app messaging from the convenience of your home and on your own schedule. 

Effectiveness of online therapy

Research has demonstrated that online therapy may be just as effective as in-person therapy in addressing mental health concerns. A recent study found that attending therapy online typically resulted in similar outcomes to traditional in-person therapy appointments when treating mental health conditions. If you are hoping to talk to a professional about how to use the internet in a positive way, online therapy could be a helpful option for you.