In 2004, EU SafeBorders launched the Safer Internet Day project. Today, it has become a global event observed in approximately 170 countries to highlight the need for a safe online experience not only for children but for adults as well.

Social media platform Twitter observes Safer Internet Day 2021 and shares this year’s theme “Together for a Better Internet.” Twitter said it has always believed that the internet “remains a force for good” and considers it their job to create a safe and healthy platform.

“The safety of Twitter and the health of the public conversation is our highest priority,” Twitter said in a media advisory. “In the last year, we have made substantial strides in tackling abusive content on our service globally. There will always be more to do, but we have made meaningful progress.”

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In 2020, more than 1 in 2 of the Tweets Twitter take action on for abuse are now proactively surfaced using technology, rather than relying on reports to Twitter – this compares to 1 in 5 tweets in 2018. The platform also saw a 105% increase in accounts actioned by Twitter, these are eitehr locked or suspended for violating the Twitter Rules.

New policies

Twitter also updated its rules against Hateful Conduct; to prohibit language that dehumanizes people on the basis of age, disability, disease, race, ethnicity, national origin as well as to include abusive language promoting “conversion therapy” targeting individuals or the entire LGBTQ+ community.

“We expanded our policies to further protect the civic conversation,” Twitter said. “Twitter’s goal is to further protect against content that could suppress the vote and help stop the spread of harmful misinformation that could compromise the integrity of an election or other civic process.”

In line with this, Twitter Philippines is hosting a 280-character panel discussion together with Plan International Philippines (@planphilippines), ECPAT Philippines (@ECPATPh), and Unicef Philippines (@unicefphils) tonight at , 6 p.m. This #OnlyOnTwitter discussion will highlight the community’s role in promoting a safer internet and shared digital literacy resources to help keep people safe online.

“Throughout 2021, we will continue to support our safety partners, and work to ensure the public conversation on Twitter is healthy, open, and safer,” Twitter said.