Omanis, expats urged to help make internet safer for all

Muscat: On the occasion of Safer Internet Day 2020, Oman’s National Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) has asked both locals and expats in the country to help make the internet a safer place for people, so that they can explore the World Wide Web freely and be aware of what they are expected to discover online.
“Safer Internet Day aims to promote a responsible, respectful, critical and creative use of digital technologies, especially among young people, and to call on all stakeholders to play their part in creating a better internet,” said a statement from Oman National CERT. “By celebrating the positive power of the internet, the Safer Internet Day 2020 slogan of “Together For a Better Internet” encourages everyone to join the movement to participate, and to make the most of internet’s potential to bring people together.
“Children and young people can help to create a better internet by being kind and respectful to others online, by protecting their online reputations (and those of others), and by seeking out positive opportunities to create, engage and share online,” explained CERT. “Parents play a crucial role in empowering children to use technology responsibly, respectfully, critically and creatively, whether it is by ensuring an open dialogue with their children, educating them to use technology safely and positively, or by acting as digital role models.”
Safer Internet Day is celebrated on February 11, and aims at providing people with the skills they need to safely browse the net, as well as make them more aware of practices such as cyberbullying, online fraud and trolls – those who purposely try to provoke others into an emotional response while on the internet.
“Teachers, educators and social workers can help to create a better internet by equipping their students with digital literacy skills and by developing their critical thinking skills which will allow them to better navigate the online world,” added the Oman National CERT. “Educators can also empower their students to create their own content, make considered choices online, and can set a personal example of positive online behaviour.
“Everyone has a responsibility to make a positive difference online,” said the organisation. “We can all promote the positive by being kind and respectful to others and by seeking out positive opportunities to create and connect. We can all respond to the negative by reporting inappropriate or illegal content and behaviour online. Cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. Join us in spreading Safer Internet Day messages.”
Globally, Safer Internet Day is organised by the INSAFE Network – a grid of European centres dedicated to promoting a safer internet – and INHOPE – a group of 47 hotlines across 43 countries that help combat child abuse on the web, with the support of the European Commission. It encourages people from over 150 countries to come together and play their part for a better internet.