Safer Internet Day Creates a Better Internet Today

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Online safety experts, youth advocates, students, government representatives and leading technology executives gather today in the nation's capital to discuss youth perspectives and practices in social media to commemorate Safer Internet Day. Marked annually on the second Tuesday of February in more than 100 countries, the Day is designed to promote safe, effective use of the Internet and mobile technology. ConnectSafely.org is hosting the official U.S. event, "Safer Internet Day 2014: Teens and Tech Leaders on Building a Better Internet," with featured speaker U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer.

"With the help of Senator Schumer and our partners, we aim to make this Safer Internet Day the most positive, powerful one yet by reaching classrooms and communities with accurate information on how youth and adults are using the Internet mostly as a force for good," said Anne Collier, co-director of ConnectSafely.org.

Today's half-day event will be kicked off by European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes via pre-recorded video, followed by two panel discussions: one with student leaders from across the country moderated by Yahoo! Tech columnist Dan Tynan; the other with executives from Facebook/Instagram, Google/YouTube, Tumblr, Twitter and Xbox Live, moderated by high school student Aidan McDaniel of Berkeley Springs, W. Va. The entire event can be viewed live or later via livestream on the Facebook Safety page and on SaferInternetDay.us.

"ConnectSafely.org is honored by the support we've received from the European Commission, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and all of our partners," said Larry Magid, co-director of ConnectSafely.org and co-chair of the U.S. Safer Internet Day Committee.

"Safer Internet Day 2014: Teens and Tech Leaders on Building a Better Internet" will be held today on Capitol Hill at the headquarters of the National Cable & Telecommunications Building at 25 Massachusetts Ave. NW in Washington, D.C. from 9 a.m. to noon EST. 

Safer Internet Day gained official recognition in the U.S. in late 2012, when the U.S. Department of Homeland Security signed a joint declaration with the European Commission to work together on making the Internet better for youth.

Safer Internet Day U.S. is made possible by nonprofit partners and financial support from Microsoft Corp., Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, Sprint, Symantec, Trend Micro and Twitter.  

About ConnectSafely.org
ConnectSafely is a non-profit organization offering research-based resources about digital wellbeing and literacy for parents, teens, educators, advocates and policymakers. Find us at ConnectSafely.org, Twitter.com/ConnectSafely and Facebook.com/ConnectSafely.

Contact:

Tara Frankel for ConnectSafely
917-522-3533
[email protected]

SOURCE ConnectSafely

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