Press release -
Drop in to stay safe online
Drop-in sessions in libraries and community venues across Wales will be offering advice on using the internet safely this February (week commencing 9th February).
Welsh Government digital inclusion programme, Communities 2.0 is offering sessions which will concentrate on issues such as password security, using personal information online and social media as part of Safer Internet Day 2015. This year Safer Internet Day falls on Tuesday 10th February.
Safer Internet Day is a global campaign which offers the opportunity to highlight the ways in which technology can be used positively and to raise awareness of what users can do to create a better and safer online community. The day is aimed at children and young people but it offers every user a chance to consider how they use the internet and how using it safely can help protect their personal information, their finances and their family members.
Cathryn Marcus is Project Director for the Communities 2.0 Programme, She commented:
“Internet safety is a high priority as more and more people use the internet to access essential services. The internet allows individuals to manage their finances, pay their bills and shop online. It also allows individuals to interact with people all over the world.
“Whilst, the internet brings many benefits to modern life, with those benefits come the dangers of fraud, ‘phishing’, cyber bullying and cyber stalking. However, there are some simple measures that can be taken to make the internet safer for everyone who uses it”.
Some measures for increasing safety online include
- Not posting personal information online wherever possible
- Keeping passwords private and hard to guess
- Finding out how to use safety tools and privacy settings on social media
- Considering parental controls on internet connected devices and with internet providers
- Don’t connect with strangers on social media
- Installing anti-virus, spam and ‘phishing’ filters and firewall software
Communities 2.0 runs drop in sessions at community venues across Wales. The tutors based at these sessions can help with all aspects of getting online, including using the internet safely.
Cathryn Marcus continued,
“Safety on the internet is a global concern and it is important that individuals are made aware of what they can do to safeguard and protect themselves when using the web. These sessions offer the opportunity to highlight positive uses of technology and to explore the role we all play in helping to create a better and safer online community.”
Communities 2.0 is a Welsh Government programme that is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Further information on drop in sessions is available from local post offices and libraries or online at www.communities2point0.org.uk. Alternatively, information is available by calling 0845 474 8282.
Some Useful Resources
Topics
- Economy, Finance
Categories
- internet day
- welsh government
- internet safety
- wales
- delivering a digital wales
- communities 2.0
- safer internet day
Regions
- Wales
About Communities 2.0
Communities 2.0 is a Welsh Government programme and is part of the Delivering a Digital Wales strategy. Communities 2.0 is delivered by four partner organisations – the Wales Co-operative Centre, Pembrokeshire Association of Voluntary Services, Carmarthenshire County Council and the George Ewart Evans Centre for Storytelling (University of South Wales).
