10 February 2009, mark the date! Safer Internet Day 2009 is fast approaching. Around the date of the event, a wide array of activities will take place across Europe and the world, ranging from press-conferences and workshops for children to rock concerts and seminars for educators and parents.

At a flagship event in Luxembourg on 10^th February, young European winners of the SID 2009 quiz will be awarded their prizes by EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding. This centralised event, bringing together internet safety stakeholders, will focus on social networking, a recent phenomenon widely adopted by young people. The main social networking sites active in Europe will sign an agreement in which industry will commit itself to maximize the benefits of the Internet while managing the potential risks to children and young people.

To empower children and young people to deal with these risks, on Safer Internet Day the Commission will launch a Europe-wide communication campaign and unveil a video clip on cyber-bullying, one of the most frequent problems young people encounter on the internet. Thanks to the cooperation of the INSAFE network, public and private TV will broadcast it throughout Europe. A longer version of the video will also be disseminated on the internet, especially on sites that are popular among teenagers.

Needless to say, the commitment to a Safer Internet overrides geographical boundaries. On 10 February the Insafe network will join up with organisations from all over the world in a virtual exhibition ground. The Insafe virtual fair will open its doors to the public on 10^th February and close on February 24^th. By accessing this worldwide event at www.sidfair.org, visitors will be able to get an overview of what is going on in their country, browse resources in their language and watch videos.

To learn more about Safer Internet Day meetings in your region or at the international level this year, stay posted at: www.saferinternetday.org

Keep it fun, keep control.

About Insafe

Insafe is the European Safer Internet awareness-raising network co-funded by the European Commission. It comprises national contact centres across the European Union and in Iceland and Norway, with partner organisations in Argentina, Australia and the USA. Insafe aims at empowering users to benefit from the positive aspects of internet whilst avoiding the potential risks. Further information is available at www.saferinternet.org or contact info-insafe@eun.org