On 7 February we celebrate International Safer Internet Day. Today, it is hard to imagine a world without virtual space, but experts are discovering more and more risks of immoderate stay on the "web".
On this occasion, the Prevention and Information Centre for Addictions at the Gabrovo Municipality is conducting an information campaign aimed at young people and their parents.
Meetings have already started with the eighth and ninth graders from the "Dr. Nikola Vasilladi" Secondary School, during which experts and students discuss the dangers of the virtual world and the risks of excessive use of the Internet, and together come up with healthy alternatives to "life on the web".
Healthy alternatives to electronic activities are also at the centre of a survey conducted among the same young people. 207 students took part in the survey and, through the questionnaire provided to them, explored their own habits and behaviours related to internet use. The results predictably show that young people (over 90% of the respondents) use their mobile phones mainly to communicate with friends and acquaintances, to watch videos and films, and to search for information. 78.6% of respondents said they use their smartphones to play online. 51% of respondents need their phones to sleep, 55.6% while eating, and only 21.2% of respondents use electronic devices to read books. For all of these activities, respondents found and indicated that more sports and outdoor games, meeting with peers in person, consulting parents or people with more life experience, more time to socialize with family, etc. were acceptable possible solutions without using the Internet.
Finding healthy alternatives is related to the challenge that the PIC-Gabrovo team addresses to parents. To all the parents of the students of 8th and 9th grade in PTG "D-r. Vasiliadi" is sent a proposal to spend together with their children at least one day in February without using internet devices - without social networks, without checking e-mails, without even a quick "peek" on Google.
Those who accept the challenge can send to: osnv@gabrovo.bg photos and a short description of the day to gather all the experiences and show that this cause - our children to grow up in a healthy environment, is a cause that unites us - professionals, teachers, children and parents.
Safer Internet Day was first celebrated in 2004 as an EU initiative, which Bulgaria - through the National Safer Internet Centre - joined in 2007. Over the years, this day has become a landmark event in the online safety calendar and is currently celebrated in over 170 countries around the world under the motto "Together for a Better Internet". At the heart of all the activities and events organised on this occasion is the cause of building and maintaining a calmer and safer online world, especially for children and young people, and among the main objectives is raising awareness of the risks and problems posed by virtual communication
