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An exciting national campaign to help young people stay safe on-line launches today
1 November 2005
A pioneering national campaign launched today is to help teachers and parents promote Internet safety for children and young people through the provision of important resources and a unique school visit programme. The campaign "Getting to Know IT All" will be launched today by Maria Eagle MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children, Young People and Families, at Pimlico School, Westminster. It is run by a partnership led by Childnet International and the Virtual Global Taskforce, and is supported by Microsoft and MSN.
Recent research found that 46 percent of children aged 11-19 years old have given out personal information about themselves to someone they have met online and one third of daily and weekly users have received unwanted sexual (31%) or nasty comments (33%) online or by text message*. "Getting to Know IT All" aims to facilitate understanding amongst parents and young people surrounding potential internet risks such as undesirable content and inappropriate online communication, and provide advice on developing safe and discriminating behaviour whilst online.
A range of new and interactive resources will provide teachers, students and parents with a virtual classroom focused on the issues of computer and Internet safety for young people. The content will provide an ongoing source of information and support available online at www.msn.co.uk/youngpeoplesafeonline, and includes quizzes for young people, lesson plans and curriculum materials for teachers and modules specifically designed for parents. Packs including a CD-ROM with a teacher presentation and in-depth guidance notes, and a range of student and parent posters and leaflets have been sent out to all schools teaching 11-14 year olds throughout the UK within the last week.
Furthermore, trained volunteers, from the Police and Microsoft, will visit almost 100 schools in England and Northern Ireland throughout November to support and advise young people, teachers and parents on the issue. Through the powerful 'Getting to Know IT All' presentation, these schools will be provided with an overview of Internet safety and introduced to the new resources for further exploration of the issue.
Maria Eagle, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families said: "The campaign will engage with children and young people in an exciting way so that they know and understand what they are doing when they are online. If they understand the risks, they can stay safe. The government believes in the educational power of the Internet but it must be used effectively and safely. My message to children and young people is that the internet safety is something to think about every time you log on. So remember how to stay safe and then you can use the internet with all the benefits it can bring whether for your education or leisure."
Jim Gamble, Deputy Director General of the National Crime Squad, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Microsoft, MSN and Childnet International to help protect children on the Internet. This campaign will help empower young people with the necessary skills to stay safe online and, as a consequence, make it as difficult as possible for those people who use the Internet to commit child abuse."
Stephen Carrick-Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Childnet International said: "We know from our experience of working in schools that teachers need practical support and resources to help young people understand Internet and mobile phones safety issues." He further adds, "We hope the resources and the volunteer programme will enable a meaningful dialogue between young people, teachers and parents so that we can learn from each other and all play our part in understanding the opportunities as well as the dangers of communications technologies."
Alistair Baker, Managing Director Microsoft UK comments: "An increasing number of young people are recognizing the vast benefits the Internet can bring, and it is crucial we educate them on how to protect themselves whilst online. As parents and responsible citizens we are all concerned that our children are able to enjoy and safely use the Internet. Microsoft is proud to have helped to develop a resource that will enable children to understand the basic steps of protecting themselves and their PCs."
For further information about 'Getting to Know IT All' please visit: www.msn.co.uk/youngpeoplesafeonline