Trust or Trap? Think Before You Tap: Safer Internet Day 2025 is on 11 February, and this year’s theme is ‘Too good to be true? Protecting yourself and others from scams online.’ As scams become more sophisticated, it’s critical to empower young people with the tools they need to navigate the digital world safely. Join us as we explore how to recognise scams, avoid becoming a victim, and protect others.
What Is Safer Internet Day? Safer Internet Day (SID) is the UK’s largest celebration of online safety, coordinated by the UK Safer Internet Centre and observed in over 170 countries worldwide. Since 2004, SID has raised awareness about the challenges and opportunities of the digital age, focusing on themes that directly affect young internet users.
This year, SID 2025 focuses on the growing problem of online scams. From phishing attempts to financial sextortion and AI-generated content designed to deceive, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant.
Key Challenges Addressed
Recognising Scams:
Common tactics include fake prize offers, impersonation of trusted organisations, and emotional manipulation.
Example: A scammer poses as your bank, urging you to click a link to secure your account.
AI-Generated Scams:
Advances in generative AI have made fake content more convincing. Scammers can mimic voices, create realistic chatbots, and generate synthetic media.
Financial Sextortion:
A growing threat is where scammers manipulate victims into sharing compromising material and demand money to avoid exposure.
How to Stay Safe Online
Think Critically: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Pause before acting.
Check the Source: Examine email addresses, URLs, and message authenticity.
Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Keep your sensitive data private, especially in unsolicited messages.
Use Security Tools: Enable two-factor authentication and use strong, unique passwords.
Report Suspicious Activity: Notify platforms or authorities when encountering scams.
Safer Internet Day 2025 is a time to reflect on the importance of a safer digital world. By working together, we can outsmart scammers and create a more secure internet for everyone.
Remember: Think before you tap—trust or trap? The choice is yours.
Join the Conversation: Follow and share our posts on social media, and keep yourself informed. Commit to thinking critically and report scams to protect yourself and others.
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