WORCESTERSHIRE County Council and Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board are supporting this year's Safer Internet Day on Tuesday.

The theme for Safer Internet Day 2016 is Play your part for a better internet!, covering the responsibility that all users have to make the internet a better place.

Whether children and young people, parents and carers, educators or social care workers, or indeed industry decision-makers or politicians, everyone has a role to play.

Children and young people can help by being kind and respectful to others online, and by seeking out positive opportunities to create, engage and share online. They can help to respond to the negative by being helpful bystanders, supporting peers if they encounter issues online, taking a stand against cyberbullying, and reporting any inappropriate or illegal content they find.

Parents and carers can help by maintaining an honest dialogue with their children about their online lives, by supporting them with their personal development online and helping them to deal with any concerns or issues.

Educators and social care workers can help to create a better internet by equipping children and young people with the digital literacy skills they require for today’s world, and giving them opportunities to use – and create – positive content online.

Diana Fulbrook of Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board said: "The board is well aware of the part played by the internet in the abuse of children and young people and is concerned about the risks of this happening. E-safety is therefore vital in protecting them from potential harm whilst also benefitting from all the good things the internet provides."

Cllr John Campion, cabinet member with responsibility for children and families, said: "With the role of the internet in people's lives growing more significant by the year, it is now more important than ever to ensure young people are safe online. Safer Internet Day is a fantastic way to champion a better internet, on which young people can benefit from every available opportunity while navigating the dangers and difficulties."