Safer Internet Day and the importance of data protection and online privacy

On February 10, we celebrate Safer Internet Day, an initiative that reminds us each year how important data security, privacy protection, and responsible use of the Internet are. In a world where we share information daily on social media and use devices constantly connected to the web, online safety has become a particularly important topic.

This applies to both adults and children, who grow up surrounded by digital technologies from an early age. A safe Internet is not only about technology itself, but above all about conscious user choices and responsible information management.

The “Pause Before You Post” campaign and personal data protection

The international social campaign “Pause Before You Post”, led by institutions responsible for personal data protection, including the Data Protection Commission, highlights how easily information can end up online. Photos, stories, and posts shared on the Internet often contain data that may remain publicly accessible for many years.

The campaign shows that the Internet does not forget, and that online privacy can be compromised even by content that seems harmless at first glance. Once shared, information creates a lasting digital record that can have real consequences in the future.

Children’s online safety and adult responsibility

Children’s online safety is often associated with monitoring content or limiting access to the Internet. However, protecting children’s data is just as important. This includes the information that adults choose to publish about them. Photos, locations, school achievements, and everyday moments build a child’s digital image long before they are aware of their online presence.

Children grow up in a digital reality, but it is adults who decide how visible they are online. Responsible Internet use means understanding that personal data can be stored, copied, and processed beyond our direct control.

A safe Internet also means data stored on devices

Online safety is not limited to content shared on social media. It also includes data stored on devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Information saved on electronic equipment may exist much longer than we expect, even after the device is sold, passed on, or replaced.

For this reason, personal data protection should cover the entire data lifecycle, from creation and use to secure deletion. Awareness of this process is one of the foundations of a truly safe Internet.

Safer Internet Day as a trigger for changing habits

Safer Internet Day is a good opportunity to reflect on online safety, personal privacy, and the digital footprint we leave behind. Before publishing any content, it is worth considering who will have access to this information and how long it may remain visible online.

At Device Europe, we emphasize a responsible approach to technology, data security, and IT equipment management throughout its entire lifecycle. A safe Internet begins with awareness, and every thoughtful online decision matters.

Sometimes, the best way to protect privacy is not to publish at all. Pausing for a moment and reflecting before sharing content is a simple step toward real data security.

Pause before you post.

#PauseBeforeYouPost #DataProtectionCommission