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School children from around the country will participate tomorrow in Safer Internet Day, an international program run in over 50 countries to raise awareness of the importance of cybersafety.

'Safer Internet Day is a fun and effective way to raise awareness of issues affecting children online,' said Chris Chapman, chairman of the Australian Communications and Media Authority, which is co-ordinating Safer Internet Day activities in Australia through its cybersafety program.

Safer Internet Day activities include a worldwide 'blogathon' run by the European network for internet safety, InSafe. ACMA will participate in this blogathon, as well as running ACMA's very popular Cybersmart Detectives cybersafety role-play activity in Western Australia and launching a new cybersafety brochure targeting issues surrounding social networking.

Children will take away important cybersafety messages from the Safer Internet Day activities and have a broader understanding of the impact of their behaviours in the online environment.

'Cybersafety education is critical in ensuring children enjoy safe internet experiences and know how to protect themselves from threats. ACMA's program forms an integral part of the government's overall cybersafety strategy', Mr. Chapman said.

ACMA will be working closely with its network of partners including the Australian Federal Police (AFP), schools and education agencies, libraries, the Internet Industry Association (IIA), and online communities to deliver cybersafety messages to Australian schoolchildren for Safer Internet Day.
Safer Internet Day is recognised across Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.

ACMA Media Contact: Donald Robertson, Media Manager (02) 9334 7980.