AT&T Teams with Non-profits to Promote Online Safety

By Arvind Arora

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

AT&T (News - Alert) announced that it is teaming up with nonprofit advocacy organizations to promote  a safe online experience for consumers during National Internet Safety Month.

 

The company is urging parents to have an eye upon their children's online activity, including wireless devices and computers. Being one of the largest broadband and wireless providers of the country, AT&T takes seriously its commitment to protect consumers by making their Internet experiences safer. A number of parental controls for various communications modes such as Surf Smart (Internet at home), Wireless Smart (mobile phone), Watch Smart (TV) and Talk Smart (home phone) are being provided by the company.

 

Brent Olson, Assistant Vice President of Public Policy, AT&T, said that June is an important time of year to raise awareness for consumers about creating a safe online experience, and as the kids are out of school and more people are spending time online, kids are more likely to be surfing the Internet and keeping track of friends and family on mobile phones and other hand-held devices, both wired and wireless.

 

Olson added that in keeping with the present convergence of technologies, AT&T encourages parents to understand and keep updated on their children's online and mobile phone activities and to educate them about the risks they face online and the measures they can take to protect themselves.

 

Apart from offering the tools and services to its customers to help keep their families safe, AT&T supports various efforts that spread awareness about online safety among parents, children and communities. In collaboration with the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (IKeepSafe), Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officers and Enough Is Enough, the company is contributing its efforts in providing the resources that are necessary to inform consumers of all ages about the benefits and challenges faced online.

 

U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, who sponsored the U.S. House of Representatives resolution designating June as National Internet Safety Month, commented that normally children are taught to be wary of 'stranger danger' on the playground, but their wide use of the Internet and networking sites expands the dangers of a virtual playground that reaches into people’s homes.

 

AT&T gives its support to Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), which is an international nonprofit organization that aims at provision of solutions for family online safety. FOSI is going to issue three studies focused on best practices in online safety education.

 

Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI, said that the organization works to promote the best online tools, which include tools for wireless phones with Internet capabilities, and the involvement of AT&T, especially with Wireless Smart Limits, will strengthen FOSI’s coordinated efforts for family safety, as AT&T is committed to helping consumers and their families implement safe online practices.