Safer Internet Day (SID) is celebrated globally on the second Tuesday of February to raise awareness and promote safe and responsible use of the internet, especially for children and young people. The day also aims to raise awareness about emerging online issues and current concerns.
- SID 2025 is observed on 11th February 2025, marks the 22nd edition of SID
- In 2024, SID was observed on 6th February 2024 and in 2026, SID will be observed on 10th February 2026.
SID 2025 Theme:
- The theme of SID 2025 is “Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online.”
Background:
i.In 2004, SID was originally launched by the European Union (EU) SafeBorders project and was later adopted by the Insafe network, a European Network of Safer Internet Centres (SICs) in 2005
ii.SID is organised by the Insafe network and INHOPE (the International Association of Internet Hotlines) on behalf of the European Commission, as part of the Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL).
iii.The SID was first observed on 6 February 2004 and was celebrated in 14 countries, including 13 EU countries and Australia.
Global Observance of SID:
i.SID is now celebrated in over 200 countries, growing beyond its original area. The creation of SID Committees in 2009 helped to strengthen global connections and create a more unified campaign.
ii.More than 160 global SID committees work together with the Safer Internet Day Coordination Team in Brussels, Belgium, to promote SID worldwide.
Kids Initiative:
On 11 May 2022, the European Commission adopted a new strategy called Better Internet for Kids (BIK+), aimed at improving age-appropriate digital services and to ensure that every child is protected, empowered, and respected in the online space.
SID Mascot for 2025:
The 2025 edition of SID introduces a new mascot, ‘Ally’ which was created in collaboration with young people to make the campaign more relatable and engaging for them.
Digital Well-Being Index (DWBI):
India topped the Digital Well-Being Index (DWBI), for the third consecutive year, released by the United States of America(USA) based Snap Inc., ahead of SID 2025
- India emerged as the leader in digital well-being, securing the highest score of 67.
- India ranks first in online satisfaction, with 58% of respondents expressing contentment with their digital experiences, surpassing the USA (53%) and the United Kingdom(UK) (42%).
Points to Note:
i.According to the United Nations(UN), Young people are the driving force of connectivity globally, with 79% of 15 to 24-year-olds online in 2023, compared with 65% for the rest of the world’s population.
ii.Over a third of young people in 30 countries report being cyberbullied, with 1 in 5 skipping school because of it.
iii.The Child Online Protection (COP) Initiative is a multi-stakeholder network launched by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to promote awareness of child safety in the online world and to develop practical tools to assist governments, industry and educators.
2025 Event:
i.As part of SID 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the Government of India (GoI) is implementing Phase-III of the Information Security Education and Awareness (ISEA) Project, for 5 years which focuses on developing human resources to ensure a safe, trusted, and secure cyberspace.
- It aims to raise awareness campaign at Pan India level on 11th February 2025 (SID 2025) about cyber hygiene and security (Cyber Aware Digital Naagrik) by reaching out to school children, teachers, college students, faculty, women, senior citizens, government employees, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other groups through various activities, both directly and indirectly.
ii.Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Hyderabad (Telangana) is designated as a nodal agency for creating mass awareness.
iii.It is also proposed to celebrate the SID annually under the aegis of the ISEA Project
iv.The proposed awareness activities to be organized include:
- Awareness Workshops
- Awareness Campaign through Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
- Online Awareness Workshops for Government Personnel
- Online Safety Awareness Campaign
- Public Awareness Campaign on Online Safety for the BHARAT
