Safer Internet Day partners work to combat rising internet harms
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Tuesday, 10th February 2015

19 organisations are joining forces to mark 2015’s Safer Internet Day (10th February 2015) in New Zealand as Kiwis report an increasing array of internet harms.

Safer Internet Day is celebrated worldwide to encourage the safe and positive use of the internet and digital technologies, especially among families and young people. New Zealand’s Safer Internet Day is being coordinated by NetSafe, the online safety and security organisation.

In 2015, 19 organisations that work with Kiwi internet users across the country are coming together to celebrate the day, promoting digital safety and security messages to customers, staff and stakeholders. The full list of supporting organisations can be viewed online and are included below.

“Safer Internet Day is about pausing to celebrate the positive work that is going on every day all around New Zealand. This global initiative highlights how creating a safer internet is a shared responsibility and we’re pleased to have so many organisations supporting the event in New Zealand,” said Martin Cocker, NetSafe’s Executive Director.

Digital Challenges Report
To mark Safer Internet Day, NetSafe has published a report on the full range of online challenges that New Zealanders faced in 2014. The report can be downloaded from http://www.netsafe.org.nz/safer-internet-day/.

The Auckland-based non-profit handled over 8000 incidents in 2014 and recorded almost $8m lost to a wide variety of online scams and computer security issues. The report also looks at other harms that Kiwi internet users can suffer including the emotional impact of online harassment and bullying and privacy concerns around the loss of data and identity information.

Highlights from the report include:
• More than one in ten of the incidents that NetSafe handled in 2014 involved bullying or online harassment and reports were received from young people and adults alike;
• NetSafe recorded over 1000 privacy related reports during the year;
• The average financial loss reached $9300 and more than 30 losses greater than $50,000 were recorded.

NZ Partners working towards a safer internet

Examples of activities that participants have planned for Safer Internet Day 2015 include:
Education sector:
• Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education is promoting Safer Internet Day on its websites
• The Online Safety Advisory Group
This cross-sector group is releasing guidance for schools on how to prevent and respond to incidents involving digital technology including mobile phones. This will published on NetSafe and Ministry of Education websites.
• CORE Education
CORE Education has developed a resource that will help teachers focus their professional conversations about internet safety. CORE is also planning to use their web channels to promote this and other resources across their educator networks.
• Post Primary Teachers' Association
The PPTA has developed resources designed to support teachers model positive online behaviours and the teaching of digital citizenship concepts. These will be made available to its 17,000 members.
• Enabling e-Learning
The Enabling e-Learning website is an information hub for teachers developing the use of digital technology in the classroom. The Enabling e-Learning team are delivering a range of different professional development activities for teachers to mark SID 2015. Enabling e-Learning is managed by CORE Education on behalf of the Ministry of Education.
• New Zealand Catholic Education Office
The NZCEO is marking the day by writing to all 244 of New Zealand’s Catholic schools to highlight key messages about online safety.
• Network for Learning
N4L are writing a themed blog post which will look at issues related to content filtering.
• Te Toi Tupu
Te Toi Tupu provides professional development to schools across New Zealand about using digital technology for learning. For SID 2015 they have planned a special focus on internet safety issues for schools including online professional discussions about issues schools are managing. Te Toi Tupu will be promoting SID 2015 via its website and social media.
Industry:
• Google
Google NZ is launching a phishing awareness initiative asking users if they can spot the tell-tale signs of an online scam.
• Trade Me
Trade Me will be using a special SID 2015 Kevin the Kiwi logo for the day that connects members back to the Safer Internet Day website.
• Vodafone
Vodafone is bringing The Parenting Place in to their offices to provide training for staff.
• Facebook
Facebook is promoting the day through its New Zealand pages.
• Twitter
Twitter will be promoting the day by amplifying tweets related to Safer Internet Day (@netsafeNZ #SID2015)
• Co-operative Bank
Co-operative Bank will be encouraging customers and staff to do a 'sense check' on how they use digital banking technology to keep their money and their personal information safe.
Other government agencies:
• Department of Internal Affairs
The RealMe programme will be promoting the day on their website, via social media and to all DIA staff.
• Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet - Connect Smart
The Connect Smart programme will be promoting the day to its partners and on its website.
• NZ Police
Police are developing a sample cybersafety intervention plan that schools can use to support their work.
• Office of the Children’s Commissioner
The Children’s Commissioner is promoting discussion about SID 2015 and internet safety issues throughout the day.

About Safer Internet Day
You can read more about Safer Internet Day at http://www.netsafe.org.nz/safer-internet-day/ and follow activities that will take place around the world using the Twitter hashtag #SID2015. We encourage others to join NetSafe in creating a better internet - find out how to particpate in next year’s events at http://www.netsafe.org.nz/safer-internet-day/#getinvolved

2015 Safer Internet Day Supporters:
• Co-operative Bank
• CORE Education
• Department of Internal Affairs - RealMe programme
• Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet - Connect Smart programme
• Enabling e-Learning programme
• Facebook
• Google
• Ministry of Education
• NetSafe
• Network for Learning (N4L)
• NZ Police
• NZ Catholic Education Office
• NZ Principals’ Federation
• Office of the Children's Commissioner
• Post Primary Teachers' Association
• Te Toi Tupu
• Trade Me
• Twitter
• Vodafone

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