Exploring the Power of Image in Digital Youth Culture

12 Dec 2016 UK SIC

This Safer Internet Day we explored the power of image – both for positive and negative – in digital youth culture.

Safer Internet Day is celebrated globally in February each year to promote the safe and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. 

On 7th February 2017, thousands of people around the world united for a better internet and considered what they can do to help ‘Be the change’.

This year for Safer Internet Day 2017, the UK Safer Internet Centre showcased the power of image in digital youth culture today.

Image and video sharing are powerful tools of communication, self-expression and creativity, but there can be pressures, risks and potential negative consequences.

We need to ensure children have the skills, knowledge, confidence and resilience to communicate using images and videos safely and creatively. 

This Safer Internet Day we are aiming to empower children to have a positive time online and inspire everyone to ‘Be the change’ and use the positive power of image to help create a better internet. 

To explore these themes, a range of activities took place for Safer Internet Day:

  • Education Packs and SID TV to explore the issues children and young people face as a result of communicating using images and videos, from the pressure to be perfect, to the impact of sharing on their online reputation and privacy.
  • #giveasmile social media campaign calling on people to use the power of emojis and selfies to help make the internet a more positive place. 
  • Youth photo campaign: young people across the UK have been creating images to share how images and videos play a role in their online lives, and these images will be exhibited at events across the UK on Safer Internet Day. Get involved with our photography project (pack launching in January) to create your own images!
  • Research report into children’s use of images and videos online will be launched by the UK Safer Internet Centre on Safer Internet Day.