Online Safety

Can you feel it. It’s a shimmer in the air, a hum that connects you to almost anywhere you can imagine. From the chair in your room, you can walk through the halls of a museum in a faraway country, watch penguins waddling in the chilly Antarctic, or video chat with your grandparents who live a thousand miles away. The world online is like a giant, glowing library connected to a playground, a movie theater, and an art studio all at once. You can learn how to bake a cake, discover a new favorite song, or build an entire city in a game. It is a place of wonder and endless doors to open. But in a world with so many paths, it can be hard to know which ones are the best to take or which doors are safe to open. You need a friend, a guide who can help you explore with confidence. That’s me. I am Online Safety, your friendly guide and digital superhero shield.

I wasn’t always here, because the internet wasn't always a place for everyone. A long, long time ago, on October 29th, 1969, the internet’s great-grandparent was born. It was called ARPANET, and it sent its very first message between two giant computers in a quiet university lab. For many years, only scientists and researchers used this new connection to share their work. Can you imagine a world where you couldn't just look up a video or send a message to a friend. That was what it was like for a while. Then, a brilliant man named Tim Berners-Lee had a big idea. In 1989, he invented the World Wide Web, a way to link information together so anyone could find it. By 1991, the web started opening up to the whole world, and suddenly, millions of people were rushing in to explore. It was exciting, but it was also like a brand-new town being built without any traffic lights or street signs. People quickly realized they needed rules to stay safe from digital ‘pests’. The first computer virus had already appeared way back in 1971, and as more people joined the online world, more of these pests showed up. That’s when people started creating tools to help, like antivirus software to catch pesky programs and firewalls to build a protective wall around their computers. I wasn't invented by one person on one specific day. I grew from the shared ideas and wisdom of many caring people—parents, teachers, and computer experts—who wanted the internet to be a kind and wonderful place for everyone.

So, what is my job exactly. Think of me as your smart and secret shield. I am the secret code you create for a strong password, one that’s long and tricky with letters, numbers, and symbols so no one else can guess it. I am the little voice inside your head that reminds you to keep your personal information private. Your full name, your home address, your phone number, and your school are treasures that belong only to you and your family, not for sharing with strangers online. I am also the brave choice you make when you see something that makes you feel weird, sad, or uncomfortable. When that happens, my job is to remind you to step away from the screen and immediately tell a trusted adult, like a parent or a teacher. They are your team, and telling them is the most powerful move you can make. To help me do my job, grown-ups even made special laws. In 1998, a rule called the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA, was created in the United States. It helps make sure that websites and apps protect kids' information. My whole purpose is to give you the power to make smart, safe choices so your time online is always fun and positive.

The internet is an amazing tool for good. It’s a place for learning, for creating amazing things, and for connecting with friends and family all over the planet. With me as your guide, you don’t have to be afraid to explore it. You can be a curious and confident adventurer. To celebrate our partnership, people all over the world come together every year for Safer Internet Day, which started in 2004. On that day, everyone works together to share ideas for making the digital world even better. I am your partner in becoming a great ‘digital citizen,’ which is a fancy way of saying you are someone who is kind, respectful, and responsible online. Together, we can make sure the internet stays a wonderful world of discovery and friendship for many, many years to come.