'My grandchildren know more about the internet than I do!'

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We talk to Alun Michael MP, host of today's discussion in Portcullis House to mark Safer Internet Day 2012.

Today is Safer Internet Day 2012 (#SID12) – what is the day all about?

SID is being celebrated today in over 70 countries across the world. This year the theme is 'Connecting Generations', and the day is a great chance to encourage all users, whatever their age, to discover the digital world together safely. In Parliament, the all-party group that I chair runs an annual competition for primary schools, and we had excellent results two years ago when we encouraged children to connect with older people, such as their grandparents – using the talents of children to bridge the digital divide.

You're hosting an event with the UK Safer Internet Centre to mark #SID12 – what is the event about?

In keeping with the theme of #SID12 this year, I'm pleased to be hosting a discussion in the Attlee Suite from 16.00 – 18.00, 'Connecting Generations and Stakeholders'. It will draw upon discussions taking place earlier in the day – on the morning of #SID12, the UK Safer Internet Centre will convene three focus groups including a group of 9-11 year-olds, a group of 13-17 year-olds, and a group of parents, carers and grandparents, to listen to their experiences, needs and online safety concerns online. These three groups will then come together at 16.00 to discuss with invited guests, including industry and MPs, what can be done to help all users stay safe online.

Who is the event open to and who is going to be there?

Invitations have been sent to a wide range of partners including the internet industry and parliamentarians – and we're happy for any MPs to join us on the day. The young people who will be joining in the discussions come from all over the UK. Some will be flying in from Belfast, and we have young people and parents joining us from Cornwall, the Midlands, Glasgow, London and Newport.

What do you expect to be discussed?

The discussion will cover a range of questions designed to find out what each user group needs help with online, who they think should support them, and how they can support other generations online. The discussion will also offer them the opportunity to share their top tips on how to stay safe and their ideas for how users of different generations can work together to use the internet safely.

The call for action this Safer Internet Day is to get involved – what are you personally going to do and how do you engage with your children and grandchildren?

I often turn to my children and grandchildren for help and advice – they know more about the internet than I do!

Finally what is your top safety tip that you would like to share?

In making people safe online, the most important thing to understand is how people behave – just as it is in the real world. Professor Tanya Byron (author of the Byron Review on internet safety) was right to start from the perspective of child development rather than starting with the technology, and that's why her findings made so much sense. And it is important to remember that many teenagers lack an awareness of risk, and that is the characteristic that makes them bold and courageous – but it's also what can make them vulnerable.