Trend Micro Promotes Internet Safety for Kids and Families

Trend Micro has most recently partnered with Childnet International in the UK as part of a new initiative to raise awareness amongst parents, children and educators about internet safety and security issues the new generation of ‘cyber kids’ face today. The aim of the partnership is to invest in education and awareness for both children and parents to create an understanding of how to stay safe online.

By working closely together with Childnet, Trend Micro will help to provide practical information to parents, kids and teachers from an internet security vendor’s perspective, all aimed at ensuring young people can use the internet to its full potential, making it a fun, safe and productive place to be. The program is designed to do this through partnerships, volunteerism, and grants and donations.

For many young people and children, the internet is an integral part of their life. This, together with increased membership to social networking sites and online communities means that a combination of real awareness, common sense and technology can help them practise safe online behaviour when using social networking sites and avoid risks of unsolicited solicitations as well as web threats from spyware or viruses.

While the programme provides children with practical tools and tips on how to stay online, it also engages and educates parents to learn more about what their children do online by encouraging communication and openness between children and parents and helping parents get as web savvy as their kids are. Understanding how children use the Internet will give parents a better idea of the risks they may face while on the Internet.

For 21^st century youth, the Internet is an integral part of life.  Social networking sites such as Facebook or MySpace have gained massive appeal – nearly 60 percent of 12-17 years olds claim to have profiles on these sites and about 14 percent of them have received unwanted online solicitations.  While online predators generally receive a lot of media attention, the more likely risks young people face include online harassment or “cyberbullying” (experienced by 32 percent of online teens) and the posting of inappropriate user-generated material.  As a two-way medium, the potential risks young people face on the Internet extend beyond what reaches them (whether they be people or digital threats such as viruses, worms or spyware), and includes the types of personal information they may be sharing online.  A combination of awareness, common sense, critical thinking and sometimes technology can help young people avoid or reduce these risks. 

In response to these issues, Trend Micro hopes to further its vision of making the world safe for the exchange of digital information through partnerships, volunteerism and grants.

Partnerships

Most recently, Trend Micro has partnered with Childnet International and ConnectSafely.org.  Based in London, Childnet’s aim is to promote and highlight quality Internet content for children and technologies that protect children online around the world.  It also works with law officials to develop policies that have a positive impact on Internet safety. ConnectSafely.org, based in the U.S., is a forum and information source for youth safety on the social Web, both fixed and mobile.  The forum’s goals include informing parents, educators, and others about Internet and mobile social networking with news, tips, videos and other resources.  It also enables teens and parents to have a voice in the public discussion about online safety. 

“Keeping kids safe online is an ongoing conversation,” said Larry Magid, co-director of ConnectSafely.org and technology journalist. “It’s everyone’s responsibility – parents, law enforcement, industry and kids themselves.”

“We are pleased that Trend Micro, a pioneer in security technology, is partnering with us to further our vision of empowering parents and teens to help make the Internet a safer and better place,” said ConnectSafely.org co-director Anne Collier.

“Trend Micro’s focus on the technical side of Internet security complements our own social values and principles of working towards making the Internet a safe and wonderful place for children,” said Stephen Carrick-Davies, CEO of Childnet International.   “We do not use ‘scare’ tactics; rather, the goal of this collaboration is to provide balanced and practical advice to empower and support parents and those who care about Internet safety for children.”