Tweddle Backs Safer Internet Day
Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle has pledged her support for this year’s Safer Internet Day, taking place on Tuesday 11th February, after a number of high-profile examples of online abuse – including the Dancing on Ice star – hit the headlines in the past few weeks.
Beth, who retired from gymnastics in August, will be attending a Safer Internet Day Q&A with a panel of young people on the day with the aim of discussing the theme of the day: ‘Let’s create a better internet together’.
Last month, Tweddle linked up with Sky Sports to take part in a live Q&A on twitter, but was overrun with internet trolls who sent abusive tweets.
This came just days before talkSPORT announced they planned to boycott twitter over its apparent lack of support of presenter Stan Collymore who received a series of offensive messages – including death threats and racist tweets – after he suggested Liverpool striker Luis Suarez may have dived for a penalty.
Commenting on her involvement for the initiative, Beth said: ‘It’s really important young people feel safe and empowered online and know how to report anything that upsets them or to tell an adult. It’s also vital that parents feel confident enough to discuss online safety with their children. It’s why I’m supporting the day to help raise awareness of what to do and all the help that’s available.’
Safer Internet Day is organised in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre (saferinternet.org.uk) in February of each year to promote the safe and responsible use of online technology and mobile phones for children and young people.
The day offers the opportunity to focus on both the creative things that children and young people are doing online, as well as the role and responsibility that all stakeholders have in helping to create a better internet.
The UK Safer Internet Centre provides Safer Internet Day specific resources and support for children and young people, parents and carers as well as teachers and school staff and facilitates a wide range of organisations to join together to amplify the safer internet message.
