Next Tuesday is ‘Safer Internet Day 2025’ and Shetland Public Protection Committee is highlighting this year’s theme of how to protect yourself and others from online scams.
Safer Internet Day has grown globally over the last 20 years, each year highlighting a relevant topic and tacking relevant themes or issue for young people. In the UK, Safer Internet Day is coordinated by the Safer Internet Centre.
Locally, there are events taking place on Tuesday, and several ongoing workshops and internet safety sessions for Shetland schools, as well as Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) training.
- On Tuesday afternoon, from 1pm-3pm, Shetland Women’s Aid will lead a webinar covering the topic of online misogyny, how it can affect young people in Shetland and will share some tips on to keep young people safe both online and in the real world. A link to register is available here
- Shetland Library offers ‘Click Shetland’ drop-in sessions on Tuesday mornings, from 10am to 11am, with assistance available from library staff for a range of digital and online services. More details are available here
- Leith-based charity Fast Forward will also be in Shetland next month to deliver workshops for young people on gambling, gaming and online safety.
- Youth-led community action charity OPEN are delivering awareness-raising workshops in Shetland secondary schools in January and February, with a focus on online safety and grooming.
- Throughout the year, Virtually Safe, Virtually Sound workshops are delivered in High Schools and Junior High Schools.
- Shetland Islands Council’s Trading Standards team can provide advice and support for anyone concerned about a possible online scam. Contacted them by phone on 01595 44887, or by email on trading.standards@shetland.gov.uk or in person at 8 North Ness in Lerwick.
Lindsay Tulloch, Chair of Shetland Public Protection Committee, says: “Increasingly people of all ages find conducting their affairs and activities such as online shopping, gaming, banking or social networking a convenient and practical way to share information and conduct daily business. The down side to this is the opportunity it creates for criminals to exploit online activity by intercepting personal information for the purpose of fraudulent schemes, scams and other forms of online abuse.
“Safer Internet Day will offer internet safety sessions, information and practical guidance of how to avoid scams, keep personal details secure and keep safe while online. Internet safety sessions will be available throughout the coming year but we hope Safer Internet Day will focus minds on the need to keep everyone safe online.”
More information about Safer Internet Day 2025, including resources for parents, carers, young people and professionals working with children and young people, can be found online at: saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2025
Notes for editors
- Safer Internet Day is co-ordinated in the UK by the Safer Internet Centre to promote the safe, responsible and creative use of online technology for children and young people. It is celebrated globally in over a hundred countries. www.saferinternet.org.uk
- The Shetland Public Protection Committee aims to protect and support children and adults and to help make Shetland a safe place to live. More information including the most recent newsletters can be found at: www.safershetland.com/