[LINK] Fwd: MR109/2010: ACMA supports National Child Protection Week with national Cybersmart activities [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

[Antony Barry]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: media at acma.gov.au
> Date: 7 September 2010 1:21:42 PM AEST
> To: <tony at tony-barry.emu.id.au>
> Subject: MR109/2010: ACMA supports National Child Protection Week with national Cybersmart activities [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]
> Reply-To: media at acma.gov.au
> 
> ACMA supports National Child Protection Week with national Cybersmart activities
> 
> The Australian Communications and Media Authority, through its Cybersmart program, is marking National Child Protection Week tomorrow by hosting Cybersmart  Detectives (http://www.emailhosts.com/ct/ctcount.php?key=009240560098699500002125 in schools across Australia. 
> 
> More than 550 students are expected to participate in the Cybersmart Detectives activity, which will be supported by police, teachers and online safety experts from around Australia. 
> 
> Schools are participating from every state and territory (except Tasmania, where school holidays are underway). They include schools from: Griffith, ACT; Coolum Beach, Qld; Larrakeyah, NT; Pymble, NSW; Eudunda, Glenburnie and Glenelg, SA; Glen Iris, Wheelers Hill and Mortlake, Vic; and Bunbury, WA. 
> 
> The ACMA’s highly successful Cybersafety Outreach program will further support National Child Protection Week with more than 50 cybersafety presentations to students, parents and teachers during the week to raise awareness about online safety and ways to handle issues.
> 
> ‘The internet offers an exciting world of opportunity for young people. However, it can also expose children and young people to very real risks,’ said ACMA Chairman Chris Chapman. ‘While many are aware of cybersafety risks, there is evidence (www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_311797) that some young people deliberately engage in risky behaviours and that the tendency to do this rises with age.
> 
> ‘Cybersmart Detectives educates children about these risks—and how to address them—in an engaging way. The activity helps children learn the skills they need to keep safe and make sound decisions online. Cybersmart Detectives presents children with an internet-themed scenario they can relate to—which helps them to learn about staying safe while having fun,’ he said.
> 
> ‘The ACMA’s Cybersafety Outreach presentations are another effective tool in helping to communicate key cybersafety messages, with the program already reaching over 100,000 students, staff and parents this year.’
> 
> Cybersmart Detectives is a popular activity with teachers and students alike as they present what seems to be a very real scenario to students, in a safe school environment. To date, over 15,000 students have participated in the activity. 
> 
> Schools can register to be involved in the ACMA’s cybersafety activities through the Cybersmart website (http://www.emailhosts.com/ct/ctcount.php?key=009240550098699500002125   
> 
> National Child Protection Week (www.napcan.org.au/campaigns/child-protection-week), held from 5 to 11 September 2010, is an initiative of the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN). 
> 
> For more information or to arrange an interview please contact: Donald Robertson, Media Manager, on (02) 9334 7980, 0418 861 766 or media at acma.gov.au. 
> 
> # # #
> The ACMA is Australia’s regulator for broadcasting, the internet, radiocommunications and telecommunications. The ACMA’s strategic intent is to make communications and media work in Australia’s public interest. For more information: www.acma.gov.au. 
> Follow the ACMA online: 
> •	 ACMA - see www.acma.gov.au for updates and other social media activities 
> •	 twitter - find us at acmadotgov 
> •	 facebook - join in the discussion at acmadotgov 
> 
>