Supporting the drive for internet safety

Ulster Unionist youth development officer and spokesman for the community and voluntary sector, Kenny Donaldson, has welcomed the annual European Safer Internet Day.

"This year's topic - Think B4 u post! - is vitally important given how central the internet has become to communication. The web's accessibility and the potential for individuals to misrepresent themselves online make it a dangerous playground," Kenny said.

"The internet has had a huge impact on of all our lives, particularly children and young adults, giving them a great opportunity to develop socially and creatively through social networking sites and other on-line services. However it must be recognized that the internet has a more sinister side and social net-working sites can leave young people vulnerable to all sorts of dangers.

"Videos and pictures can be taken and uploaded onto social-networking sites like Bebo and Facebook in a matter of minutes and not enough thought is given to who could possibly see them. It can be accessed by anyone from future employers to predators and paedophiles."

Highlighting the potential for online deception, Kenny said: "Cyberspace provides a veil for predators to draw in and manipulate vulnerable young adults. Personal information can be gathered very easily from these sites to groom children and young adults.

"In Northern Ireland these sites are also known to have been used by paramilitary groups and sectarian gangs to recruit impressionable and vulnerable young people and to instigate violence.

"The 2010 European Safer Internet Day is a means to raise internet safety awareness and encourage young adults to publish pictures and videos online in a responsible manner.

"People must be aware that once a picture or comment is posted online it can have huge ramifications for now and far into the future."