A new information pack aimed at teaching parents and children about online safety was launched by Webwise and cable operator UPC yesterday as part of the European Safer Internet Day.
The information pack is translated into 11 European languages and comprises a parents’ guide, an activity-based guidebook for children aged 6-12, a family certificate and situation cards designed to make internet safety education fun.
The pack is available from schools, libraries and the UPC website. Webwise is the Irish partner in the European Commission’s Insafe network and is co-ordinated by the National Centre for Technology in Education.
Viviane Reding, the EU Commissioner for Information, Society and Media, commented: “I am delighted to see this initiative which provides a tool for young people and covers so many European countries. I congratulate UPC and Insafe on this example of public-private partnership.”
“Parents and teachers both have a key role to play in empowering young people to make the most of the educational and social opportunities afforded by the internet. We will help them to engage in their children’s online lives in a positive way by distributing this toolkit at internet safety seminars and workshops around the country,” said Simon Grehan, internet safety project officer, NCTE.
“UPC is proud to contribute to European Safer Internet Day and creating an online toolkit for parents and children is a great resource for internet safety education and awareness-raising,” said Robert Dunn, CEO of UPC Ireland. “The enormous increase in opportunities delivered by the internet does not come without risks, particularly for younger users.”
By Niall Byrne
