‘Connect with Respect’ key message for Safer Internet Day tomorrow 5 Feb 2013

As per the press release today from ACMA:

Australia will be kicking off an international live internet radio broadcast on tomorrow’s Safer Internet Day, with the ACMA’s Cybersmart program holding its first ever online radio program.

‘Connect with respect’ is the key message of the program which airs tomorrow between 5 pm and 8 pm, before handing over to the UK to pick up the broadcast. The program will feature Australian children and teenagers, parents and teachers, plus local and international technology and cybersafety experts. The broadcast will be available to stream live from www.cybersmart.gov.au.

Representatives from organisations including Childnet International, the Family Online Safety Institute in the US, Google, Facebook, Disney, eBay, Telstra, Paypal, Kids Helpline, state police departments as well as members of the Australian Government’s Consultative Working Group on Cybersafety are also taking part in the ACMA’s activities on the day.

The worldwide theme of Safer Internet Day encourages people to think about their ‘Online Rights and Responsibilities’.

‘Safer Internet Day is a fantastic opportunity for us all to come back to the basics of online safety by thinking about how we can be better digital citizens,’ said ACMA Deputy Chairman, Richard Bean. ‘The resources Cybersmart is providing for the day allow everyone to participate and show our practical online safety material to the world.’

Held in more than 90 countries and this year celebrating its 10th anniversary, Safer Internet Day is recognised across Europe, North America, South America and the Asia-Pacific region.

Cybersmart is hosting a range of activities to encourage awareness and education about online safety. More than 1500 children in schools across Australia will participate in Cybersmart Challenge activities, which empower students to make informed decisions about cybersafety issues through a real time, interactive, online education platform.

More than 17,000 students across the country will also be participating in an online Internet Safety Awareness Presentation conducted by Cybersmart Outreach trainers through State Education department online portals. Videos, lesson plans and activities will be available to teachers to use on the day with their students.

To help make the internet a safer place for children, the ACMA is also part of a global effort to combat online child abuse material by investigating illegal and offensive material that Australian families and individuals may encounter online. Visit www.acma.gov.au/hotline to report illegal and offensive online content.

To access resources or for more information about Safer Internet Day 2013, visit www.cybersmart.gov.au.

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Gretchen Martins, Senior Communications Advisor, on (03) 9963 6801, 0404 836 636 or Gretchen.martins@acma.gov.au