MP Allan Dorans fronted a campaign this week aimed at keeping children safe while surfing the net.
The Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP pledged his support to Safer Internet Day, which took place on Tuesday, February 7.
Mr Dorans believes online safety remains a real issue and says parents need to be at the forefront of making sure children and young people are kept safe online.
He joined with schools, charities, and businesses across the UK to pledge their support for making the internet a safer place for children and young people.
Tuesday, February 7 marked Safer Internet Day, a globally recognised celebration promoting the safe and positive use of digital technology for children and young people.
The event, co-ordinated in the UK by the UK Safer Internet Centre (UKSIC), is celebrated by more than a 100 countries.
This year’s theme is “Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online.”
New research by the UKSIC reveals that, children and young people are keen to engage with their parents about their online lives.
And 57 per cent of children believe they can play a role in educating their parents and carers about life online as research also revealed that many parents (36 per cent) are unsure of where to turn should they need support.
Allan Dorans MP welcomed the work being done by the UK Safer Internet Centre and called for everyone to do their part in making sure children and young people are safe online.
The MP said: “The UK Safer Internet Centre is a coalition of three globally leading charities who are responsible for co-ordinating greater internet safety, particularly amongst young people.
“They are calling upon the Government to ensure children’s voices are put at the heart of the Online Safety Bill.
“I fully support their aims and was delighted to meet some volunteers and hear from them the online safety issues that young people experience.”
A spokesperson for the UK Safer Internet Centre said: “It is vital that we reach as many children and their parents and carers as possible.
“Safer Internet Day engages children and young people across the UK to encourage them to have a conversation about their online safety.
“The UK Safer Internet Centre provides lots of information and advice to parents, carers, schools and children about online safety, and we would encourage anyone to check out the support we provide.
“But we also need policy makers to act now to put children at the heart of the new Online Safety Bill, by empowering them, giving them a voice and progressing with this vital legislation as soon as is practicably possible.
“We were delighted to be in Parliament with our young digital leaders to discuss their hopes and aspirations for the Online Safety Bill.”
Mr Dorans urged constituents who are concerned about online safety to visit https://saferinternet.org.uk/safer-internet-day/safer-internet-day-2022
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