Young People And Parents In Clare Urged To Take Caution Online

Minister Killeen has welcomed the Government’s launch of watchyourspace.ie, which forms part of a multi-media campaign promoting the safe use of the Internet by young people.

The ‘WATCH_YOUR_SPACE –STOP CYBERBULLYING’ campaign - an initiative of the EU Safer Internet Programme - has been launched in all EU countries, as well as Norway and Iceland, as part of EU Safer Internet Day. In Ireland, the campaign includes an online source of information and advice for young people, watchyourspace.ie, and the TEENTXT active listening service of the ISPCC.

According to Minister Killeen, "This campaign encourages young people to take control of their online environments by reporting inappropriate content and contact on their favourite websites. I am delighted that the campaign messages will be communicated through television advertising, online marketing, the distribution of information flyers and Internet safety seminars in libraries."

The local T.D. continued, "In recent years through the widespread use of email, social networking sites, instant messaging and texting, we have witnessed how the anonymous, instant and far reaching communication capabilities of the Internet have brought a new dimension to child protection issues. These issues include bullying, anorexia, suicide, and sexual exploitation. In this context we need to ensure that we empower young people to manage the risks inherent in the technology themselves. It is important that children and parents are encouraged to report harmful and inappropriate material to host websites when they find it."

The Safer Internet Ireland consortium, including the Office for Internet Safety, the National Centre for Technology in Education, the ISPCC and the National Parents Council Primary, is joined in this campaign by RTE, Sky Media, MTV, Nickelodeon, UPC Ireland, City Channel, Microsoft, Google, Bebo, Eircom, O2, Meteor, The Library Council and Léargas.

For further information, please see www.watchyourspace.ie.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- Tony Killeen T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry), is available for interview and further comment on 0035387-2525304. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media@dunphypr.com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available