REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 14, 1998 —
— As part of Microsoft Corp.’s Online Safety Month campaign, the company today launched a new resource for parents and educators, aimed at helping children explore the Web safely. The site, http://www.microsoft.com/misc/safeonline/ , offers parents, teachers and children valuable information and links to some of the best sites online for staying safe while enjoying the Web.
The SafeOnline site was conceived as part of Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to secure and promote online safety for children. Microsoft is actively working with others in industry, government and the nonprofit sector to increase the public’s awareness of safe Internet practices and discourage illegal online activity.
“Microsoft understands that ensuring adequate protection for children in the online environment is one of the best ways we can help the Internet continue to develop as a valuable resource for our society,”
said Pete Higgins, group vice president of Microsoft’s interactive media group.
“As parents ourselves, we understand the importance of providing guidelines and technology tools that provide a safe and fulfilling experience on the Web. We designed SafeOnline to meet the criteria of fun and safety.”
SafeOnline introduces visitors to October’s Online Safety Month campaign within Microsoft along with important privacy policies, and proceeds to offer parents, teachers and kids links to sites of interest to all. Safety and educational sites include SafeKids, the American Library Association and America Links Up. Strictly for fun, kids link directly to sites such as Dr. Seuss, Girl Power, Sesame Street and, of course, The Yuckiest Site on the Internet.
Recently, Microsoft joined nearly 50 online companies and organizations in support of the
“America Links Up”
(ALU) campaign, which launched Sept. 14-20, National Kids Online Week. ALU is a nationwide public-awareness and education campaign aimed at providing adults and children with the necessary information and tools to ensure a safe and rewarding online experience. Microsoft is launching the SafeOnline site in conjunction with its support for ALU and its goals; SafeOnline features a direct front-page link to the ALU site.
“Microsoft is strongly committed to the goal of a safe Internet,”
said Laura Jennings, vice president of MSN at Microsoft.
“The America Links Up campaign provides another opportunity to promote safety for children. We believe the collective efforts of nearly 50 online companies and organizations will help educate children, their parents, teachers and librarians about the safest ways to enjoy all the online world has to offer.”
In addition to launching the new SafeOnline site, Microsoft is offering the following support to the ALU campaign:
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Sponsoring the America Links Up Web site ( http://www.americalinksup.org/ ), which is designed to be a resource for kids, parents, teachers and librarians for learning about the safest ways to surf the World Wide Web and includes tips and hints for staying safe online
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Donating $500,000 in free online advertising space to encourage Web surfers to visit the ALU Web site from both Microsoft-related Web sites and the Web sites of other online companies
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Creating and sponsoring Online Safety Month in October, which will be promoted throughout Microsoft Web sites
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Hosting a local Internet Teach-In event in the Seattle area on Nov. 11 with vendors NetNanny Software International Inc., AT & T Corp., Headbone Interactive Inc., Edmark Corp., and WatchGuard Technologies Inc.
As part of its ongoing dedication to protecting children online, Microsoft has initiated its own programs and concepts, and pursues support of other notable safety measures and campaigns. For example, the Content Advisor feature in Microsoft® Internet Explorer technologies was one of the first to offer parents the ability both to choose Web sites for their children’s viewing and to prevent them from inadvertently visiting adult-oriented sites. Microsoft also supports the work of the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) in drafting guidelines governing Web sites directed at children. In May 1998, Microsoft co-sponsored a free seminar for parents and teachers,
“The Internet and Our Children.”
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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