There is no Internet safety when we post photos or communicate openly on social networking sites. Details that should be confidential are left accessible out of ignorance or inattention. The young people become victims of information security accidents most often. This is the message transmitted in the launch of an awareness-raising campaign centering on Internet safety at the National Bank on February 6, IPN reports.

Igor Cojocaru, director of the Information Society Development Institute, said the use of the Internet and information technology became practically a bad habit in children and teens and in a large part of the adults and it is not easy to get rid of this. The users often get into traps owing to the unsafe use of the Internet. The problem resides in the fact that the users are not aware of the risks to which they are exposed when they make purchases online or chat on social networking sites, when they transfer photos, videos or audio recordings. “The Internet does not forget what your post or posted once. When the information is published, it is stored,” said the expert.

Within the awareness-raising campaign entitled “Become involved and inform yourself!”, the National Library will stage a number of events for students during February 6-12. Victoria Manolachi and Natalia Gulco of the Pro-European Services and Communication Center will speak to students on February 9. On February 12, there will be held an interactive seminar with volunteers of the International Center “La Strada”. Veronica Bors, deputy head of the Information Technology Division of the National Library, said the activities are organized to promote the safe and responsible use of the Internet and information technology among the youth.

According to a study carried out by the Center “La Strada”, four in ten children younger than ten have already an account on social networking sites, while two thirds of the children aged between 12 and 15 daily use the Internet. The mobile phone is most often connected to the Internet. The posting of photos and videos is one of the most risky behaviors of children online. The tendency among children aged between 12 and 15 to meet with persons with whom they get acquainted online is alarming. Not many children and teens seek advice from the parents or an adult when they are asked to transmit information of a sexual character. The study shows the teens have summary knowledge of risky behaviors online. Many of the uninformed children are an easy prey for ill-intentioned persons.