Mark your calendars for Tuesday, 6 February 2024 – it’s Safer Internet Day!

Safer Internet Day is a global initiative that aims to raise awareness of online safety and promote safe and responsible use of online technology.

In 2023 Australians reported over 280,000 scams with a total of over $455,000,000 lost. The most impacted age group was those over 65 years old, who were the victims of 67,000 scams costing over $114,000,000.

When it comes to online abuse or cyberbullying, almost 50% of children aged 8-17 years old report having been treated in a hurtful or nasty way online, and over 60% of children report having been exposed to potentially harmful online content - such as graphic violence, hate messages and ways to self-harm.

This year Safer Internet Day encourages you to take three simple actions when approaching online safety: Connect. Reflect. Protect.

• Connect safely by keeping apps and devices secure and reviewing your privacy settings regularly.
• Reflect on how your actions online may affect others or your safety.
• Protect yourself and others by visiting eSafety.gov.au to find out how to stay safe online and report online abuse.

By doing these things and sharing the Connect. Reflect. Protect message, we can work towards making every day a Safer Internet Day.

SA Police have a range of information and advice around online abuse, scams and cybercrime to help you keep yourself and your family safe online. Check out the SA Police website to learn how to deal with online abuse, protect yourself from scams and report cybercrime.

To find out more about Safer Internet Day and how you can get involved visit the website of the eSafety Commissioner.