Online safety campaign to continue
In June 2012, the South African version of Google Family Safety Centre was launched in partnership with Parents' Corner and others to make the internet safer for kids to use. Other founder members include the Department of Women, Children and People with Disabilities; the Department of Communications; the Film and Publications Board; Childline South Africa; Media Monitoring Africa; Mxit; Nelson Mandela Children's Fund; UNICEF.
Dr Pieter Streicher
"This is an important step forwards in the fight to make the internet a safer place for children and we are proud to be involved," said Dr Pieter Streicher, founder of Parents' Corner and managing director of BulkSMS.com.
"While technology itself is neutral, there is no denying that there are risks and dangers to children that need to be mitigated. The alternative, to ban our kids from using the internet, is short-sighted, unrealistic and will handicap our children in their future lives and careers."
The next stage of the collaboration involves a public advocacy campaign and education for parents and children. Streicher is a regular speaker at schools and in the media, providing practical advice about what parents need to know about technology and how children need to protect themselves.
For more, go to www.parentscorner.org.za or www.google.co.za/goodtoknow/familysafety.
