Today, 7 February, is Safer Internet Day.  Coming, as it does, on the same day that the Police Federation expressed their fears over cuts to online safety work, Safer Internet Day is a timely and necessary opportunity for UK families to think about how they use the internet and engage with the online world.

This time last year CARE launched ‘Protecting Families Online’ to affirm the opportunities the internet provides but also to encourage families to think about how they can protect themselves from harmful and inappropriate content online.  That Safer Internet Day occurs in the same week as Marriage Week (which encourages marriage and commitment) is a happy coincidence as the link between strong, stable family life and childhood development and prospects is well documented.

Our approach to this complex set of issues has been to point toward the need for industry to step up and meet its obligations to its customers, for the Government to provide an appropriate legal and regulatory framework, as well as for parents to recognise the key they have to play in educating both themselves and their children.

What’s going on today?

Labour MP Alun Michael is inviting MPs to attend the UK Safer Internet Centre’s event at Portcullis House this afternoon and there plenty of ways for parents, teachers and young people to get involved too.

You can access advice and resources suitable for parents, children and teachers; take part in an Internet safety IQ test; listen to the 12 hour radio show with features from young people, parents, representatives from industry and the Government; and find out more about what is going on today by visiting the UK Safer Internet Centre website.

Also, do take a moment to read an opinion piece on the Christian Today website by CARE’s Lauri Moyle which can be found here.

You can also follow @UK_SIC and @marriagewk2012 on Twitter for the very latest news on Safer Internet Day and Marriage Week 2012.