“Life Online is what YOU make of it” – this year’s motto of the Safer Internet Day is not just a slogan. It describes the spirit of the internet. Even more as the Web turned into Web 2.0 in the past years – and the Internet Users turned into shapers of the new Web. The Internet is a tool – and the internet users explore more and more opportunities to create their own online experience: Blogs, Communities, Social Networks, new Business Models, Sharing of Videos, Pictures, Opinions - all around the world.

But there is another side of the coin, which is also expressed in the sentence “Life Online is what YOU make of it” – it is a plea! It describes the responsibility we all – internet users, parents, teachers, managers and entrepreneurs – have. Especially when it comes to safety and security on the Internet. Even more, when it comes to young people exploring the Web.

In Germany, 95,7% of young people at the age of 14-19 are online. No other media can catch up with that. The Internet is a part of everyday life, it is taken for granted. But if something is taken for granted, there is always an imminent danger to become indifferent. We cannot deny that the internet has a lot of great things to offer – but there are also dangers, that we have to specify, and to clarify for the sake of a safe internet experience. This is a challenge. So we really should take the Safer Internet Day’s plea very seriously.

For AOL, safety and security has always been a mission – from the beginning of the internet and whilst catching up with the spirit of Web 2.0. We are partners of klicksafe.de since 2005. In the same year we founded the “AOL Sicherheitsrat” (safety & security council) in Germany. This advisory board was set up to improve our work on safety & security issues and to share the findings. And there are many more initiatives we are involved in to promote and to ensure online security and especially youth protection. Our service includes a comprehensive set of safety & security features. And take a look at www.aol.de/kinderclub - we support the Safer Internet Day with a content special.

“Life Online is what YOU make of it” – let’s live the spirit of being online!

Torsten Ahlers
CEO AOL Germany
www.aol.de