Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and even Lego participated in Safer Internet Day by unveiling new policies to protect users of all ages across platforms.
Most recently, Facebook, owned by Meta, announced a joint lawsuit Tuesday against two Nigerian-based scammers. An unnamed financial services company is joining the platform as a second plaintiff in the suit, which is reportedly the first of its kind.
“Between March 2020 and October 2021, the defendants engaged in phishing attacks intended to lure people using Facebook and Instagram to phishing websites with the goal of compromising their financial services accounts for profit,” Meta alleged in a statement. “To conceal their activities, the defendants used a network of computers to control over 800 impersonating Facebook and Instagram accounts and evade technical enforcement measures.”
DA’S YOUTH GROUP TO OFFER INTERNET SAFETY PROGRAM
The platform previously attempted to stop the alleged scammers by “disabling Facebook and Instagram accounts, blocking impersonating domains on its services and sending a cease and desist letter.”
Twitter rolled out its new reporting policy Tuesday. Rather than flagging a tweet as “abusive” or “suspicious,” users can explain their problem with a post with a fill-in-the-blank system. In December, the company announced it had begun testing the new process in the United States. Safer Internet Day marked the first day the platform implemented the system worldwide.
While we’re celebrating #SaferInternetDay , join us to find out how @Twitter is working to make the platform safer & learn about our new reporting process! https://t.co/FS7RLyiIFA
— Twitter Safety (@TwitterSafety) February 8, 2022
TikTok announced a new policy to protect its gay and transgender users. The ban includes the use of transgender individuals‘ old names or pronouns, engagement in misogyny, or promotion of pro-conversion therapy content. In addition, the short-form video platform donated $1,000 to 40 schools to further educate teenagers about internet safety.
To start, we’re excited to announce 40 US schools receiving a $1K grant through our #PTAConnected program with @NationalPTA to host community-focused events to educate teens, parents & teachers about digital kindness, safety & responsibility. More here: https://t.co/IX0Y435lal
— TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) February 7, 2022
Lego created a new animated miniseries all about internet safety. The toy company’s goal is to “empower children to become positive digital citizens, who contribute to healthy digital communities.” Characters include the Oversharer, Meanie, and the Big-Eyed Monster, who takes a break from screens.
To celebrate #SaferInternetDay we have created a new experience following our online heroes in the LEGO Life app to help children learn how to identify misinformation online by checking sources and thinking critically to spot misleading posts. 3/3 pic.twitter.com/OEq7vISIbU
— LEGO Policy (@LEGOpolicy) February 8, 2022
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Safer Internet Day began as a European Union initiative in 2004.
