Our new partner in child safety
Childnet International
As a key part of our child protection campaign, we have teamed up with Childnet International, a leading organisation in child internet safety.
Childnet are helping us do everything we can to protect children from harmful content online. They are running workshops and keeping us informed about all the latest safety developments regarding children's use of the internet and mobile phones.
Childnet have given us a very useful checklist, for parents. It lists lots of important questions you should ask when you or your child buys a mobile phone.
You can read the checklist here
Childnet have also helped us to produce a short film about mobiles and child protection.
Working in partnership with Childnet
This is what Will Gardner, the deputy CEO of Childnet International, says about our partnership:
Alongside the work that O2 is doing in providing the Childnet 'Parent's Checklist' advice for its customers, O2 is also working with Childnet to train and support O2 staff across the company to help them better understand the safety issues for children when they use the internet and mobile phones.
An ongoing programme of staff workshops called 'Mind the Gap' is running, which helps staff better understand the 'gap' that exists between how adults use the internet and mobile phones, and how children do.
The presentation looks at the responsibilities that mobile operators have agreed to in ensuring that children are safe using their phones and the features and choices now available for families. Feedback from the workshop has been very positive, with many staff saying how much they have benefited from the advice and how it will help them both in their families but also in the workplace.
Spreading the word about new media
As well as our work with Childnet, we've also hooked up with the Media Literacy Task Force. In fact, we were the first mobile phone operator to sign the Media Literacy Charter, which promotes ideas that help young people fully understand the good and bad aspects of new technology.
O2 recognises the importance of media literacy and is committed to helping our customers get the most from new mobile media content and communications technologies. This includes offering advice about the ways that children can become better protected from risks in an online environment.
This is what Heather Rabbatts CBE, Chair of the Media Literacy Task Force, says about our support for media literacy:
Congratulations to O2 - the first mobile company to sign the Charter and celebrate the rich creative possibilities of mobile media in this way. O2 recognise there are some challenges and pitfalls in using any media, but good information and back-up support can empower people to make the most of the exciting and creative opportunities of mobile messages and services. I hope more companies will now follow O2's excellent lead and sign up.
O2 welcomes the Byron Review - Children and New Technology
O2 welcomes the current review by Dr. Tanya Byron, whichthat is examining the shared responsibility of parents, the government, industry and society to protect children and young people from inappropriate or harmful content on the internet or in video games. Click here for the latest information about the review.