As patron of Safer Internet Day, it is my pleasure to launch the third world-wide Blogathon which runs for the entire day: 12 February 2008. Over the next 24 hours, we hope to bring together organisations and individuals from all four corners of the world to interact and share their thoughts on a very important theme: “Life online is what YOU make of IT”.

This is the third time there has been a Blogathon to mark Safer Internet Day. As the European Commissioner responsible for Internet, interactive TV and mobile communications, I find it very encouraging to see a much greater public awareness of how to be safer when online. In 2004, just 14 countries participated in Safer Internet Day. Today almost 50 countries are taking part. This year's theme, “Life online is what YOU make of IT”, emphasises the responsibility of each and every one of us to make the online environment a place where young people can safely play, interact and learn.

In 2008, we have placed a special focus on youth and their active participation in dialogues on issues that concern them. The blogathon is an important tool that can include everyone. In Brussels, we have organised the first ever pan-European Safer Internet Youth Forum, in which 30 teenagers from Finland, the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Sweden, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Iceland will have the chance to put their views and recommendations to my colleague Meglena Kuneva – the EU's Consumer Commissioner –, and to a number of Members of the European Parliament.

I wish good luck to all of you participating in the blogathon and in the Youth Forum, and strongly encourage you share with us and with each other, your thoughts and experiences.

Viviane Reding
European Commissioner for Information Society and Media