Safer Internet Day 2024: a strengthened commitment to a safer internet

Safer Internet Day (SID) is celebrated every year to raise awareness of online safety issues. This^21st edition is placed under the theme of the responsible internet and connected citizenship. This theme highlights the importance of developing responsible online behaviour, whether for our privacy, that of others, or for the environment.

So to evolve on the internet with responsibility and citizenship, here are the appropriate behaviors to follow:

• For oneself: “we tame the algorithms”

Every action you take online leaves a mark, so be responsible for your actions and take control of your online privacy! So we pay attention to what we show (photos published, comments left, etc.), to whom we show it (we switch our social accounts to private if the content published is personal for example) and we choose our sources of information carefully. Indeed, the content you view online can influence the content that will be offered to you afterwards (review the principle of filter bubbles).

For parents of children and young teenagers, one main mission is to block access to content deemed inappropriate for the child’s age. For children under 12 years old, we can only recommend Qwant Junior, a search engine that blocks inappropriate content.

• For its community: “the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of Digital is us”

Everyone does what they want with their own lives, but not with the lives of others! Before you post photos of other people, ask them for their opinion. This is valid for parents who post photos of their children/teenagers, but also for the publication of situation photos which can sometimes be problematic. When posting a video/photo, we always ask you to think about the consequences that this post could have on your offline life, your own and the lives of others.

• For the planet: “we manage our impact”

We take care of our devices: we take care of them, we pamper them, we use them in moderation so that they can last as long as possible. And when it’s time for a change, we think about reconditioning: a more ecological and economical purchase!

Finally, to limit its digital impact, remember to switch to wifi as soon as possible!

Do you want to know more, get more advice or learn about these topics? Several associations specialize in the subject:

• The Internet Without Fear Program, operated by the Tralalère association, which raises awareness of digital technology among young people.
• Point of contact that allows you to anonymously, simply and free of charge report any potentially illegal content encountered on the Internet.
• The e-childhood association that manages the issues of digital harassment and violence.

And more generally, to protect your online privacy and limit the collection of your personal data, we recommend that you use Qwant: no tracking of your searches, no advertising tracking, no sale of personal data!

Image source: Freepik