Liberty Global and EU Launch ‘Who are your kids talking to online?’ eSafety Video for Parents
Liberty Global, Inc. (“Liberty Global”) (NASDAQ: LBTYA, LBTYB and
LBTYK), together with European Schoolnet (EUN) and the European
Commission, has today launched a video that tackles the parental concern
of ‘Who are your kids talking to online?’ to mark the 10th
anniversary of Safer Internet Day. This three-minute video is the first
in a series of animations called ‘The Digital Universe of Your Children’
that aims to help parents strengthen their digital parenting skills by
empowering them with the knowledge and resources needed to protect their
children online.
‘Who are your kids talking to online?’ provides practical tips on eight
key online issues that youngsters might encounter when using the web,
including: Privacy on Social Networks, Online Gaming, Blocking, Risks
Online, Online Friends, Meeting Strangers, Personal Information, and
Online Reputation. The video will be rolled out across Liberty Global’s
operations and is available in several language versions including
English, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Czech, and Spanish. To view the video
visit the Liberty Global CR
Video Gallery.
Manuel Kohnstamm, Senior Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of
Liberty Global said, “We believe that the best way to protect younger
users is to educate and empower them with the information and tools they
need to safeguard themselves. Building on the tools that we have created
to date, this appealing new animation series encourages parents to
actively engage with their children regarding their online activities.
Digital parenting in an open dialogue should be a natural part of modern
parenthood."
Facts and information provided by the animation draw on findings from
the EU Kids Online Study. Professor Sonia Livingstone, Professor of
Social Psychology at the London School of Economics (LSE) and Director
of the Study said, “I really welcome the development of this lively and
engaging resource, as it does a great job of informing parents about
what their children are doing online. It’s important to debunk some
myths and realize that, for most children, the internet is far more an
opportunity than a source of worry.”
“This animation gives some helpful tips, based on the specific insights
from our pan-European survey of 25,000 children and parents. The idea is
that rather than feeling excluded or worrying in private, parents can
find a way to share, discuss or join in with some of their children’s
experience online and so guide them all the more effectively”, she added.
Connect with Respect
This year's Safer Internet Day theme,
‘Online rights and responsibilities’, aims to encourage users to
'Connect with respect' and to be aware of their rights and
responsibilities in ensuring a safe and sustainable digital environment.
European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes, responsible for the
Digital Agenda and for launching the strategy to make a better internet
for children, recognizes that the internet offers young people great
opportunities – but that they need to be able to go online safely. In
her video message for Safer Internet Day she said, “Tomorrow's world,
our economy and society, will be a digital one: and kids will have to
play a full part in that. By encouraging creativity online, we can help
kids make positive use of the internet. If we help children and young
people develop their digital skills safely, they can make the most of
the online world, with the abilities and tools to learn, participate,
and have fun online.”
Lead Partner of Safer Internet Day since 2006
Liberty Global
has been one of the main partners of Safer Internet Day since 2006 and
annually marks the occasion across its operations through local eSafety
initiatives. Over the years, Liberty Global has actively developed
programs and engaged in campaigns that support the European Commission’s
Digital Agenda for Europe, including increasing trust and security,
delivering ultra-fast broadband speeds, enhancing digital literacy,
skills and inclusion, and developing ICT solutions for social challenges.
The company has worked closely with Insafe, the EU organization for
internet safety awareness in Europe, to create the following internet
safety tools for children including: ‘Play
and Learn: Being Online’ for children aged 4-8 years which is
available in 16 languages; ‘Family
eSafety Kit‘ targeting 6-12 year olds, available in 18 languages;
and the latest resource, ‘The
Web We Want’ aimed at teens aged 13-16 years. Over one million
copies of the ‘Family eSafety Kit’ and 100,000 copies of the ‘Play and
Learn: Being Online’ have been distributed across the world to date.
About Safer Internet Day
Safer Internet Day is part of a
global drive by awareness-raising partners to promote a safer and better
internet for all users, especially young people. It is organized by
Insafe and INHOPE in the framework of the European Commission’s Safer
Internet Program. For further information, see www.saferinternetday.org.
Safer Internet Day 2013 will be the tenth edition of the event, and will
be celebrated on Tuesday February 5, 2013.
About European Schoolnet & Insafe
European Schoolnet
(EUN), in Brussels, is a network of 30 Ministries of Education in Europe
and beyond. EUN was created 16 years ago to bring innovation in teaching
and learning to its key stakeholders: Ministries of Education, schools,
teachers, and researchers. More information: www.eun.org
Insafe also based in Brussels, is a European network of Awareness
Centers promoting safe, responsible use of the internet and mobile
devices to young people. It is co-funded by the Safer Internet Program
from the European Commission. More information: www.saferinternet.org
About Liberty Global
Liberty Global is the leading
international cable company, with operations in 13 countries. We connect
people to the digital world and enable them to discover and experience
its endless possibilities. Our market-leading television, broadband
internet and telephony services are provided through next-generation
networks and innovative technology platforms that connect 20 million
customers who subscribe to 34 million services as of September 30, 2012.
Liberty Global’s consumer brands include UPC, Unitymedia KabelBW,
Telenet and VTR. Our operations also include Chellomedia, our content
division, UPC Business, a commercial services division and Liberty
Global Ventures, our investment fund.
To find out more about how Liberty Global is 'Promoting a Digital
Society' click
here.
For more information, please visit www.lgi.com
or contact cr@lgi.com.