Member Article

Google and BBC partner up to promote online child safety initiative

International digital giant Google and the BBC have announced a partnership with London-based independent organisation, Internet Matters.

They become the first two companies to partner with the organisation, which is dedicated to promoting child safety issues and cybersecurity online, and join the founding members of the e-safety group which includes BT, Sky and Virgin Media.

Internet Matters is already working with the BBC on an online guide to online safety as part of the broadcaster’s iWonder series, while Google has partnered with the not-for-profit as part of its Internet Legends programme which involves school visits to teach children about a range of cybersecurity and online safety issues.

Alice Webb, Director of BBC Children’s, said: “We’re delighted to join forces with Internet Matters. Keeping our young audience safe online has long been a priority for the BBC and we have an important role to play in helping to make sure messages about staying safe online hit home.

“Today, kids spend more time online than ever before, so equipping them for the digital world has never been more important.”

Eileen Naughton, Managing Director at Google UK and Ireland, added: “Google believes deeply in technology’s ability to unlock creativity, and we work hard to ensure that parents and children have the tools and knowledge they need to make smart and responsible choices online.

“We’re excited to be joining Internet Matters, and will continue to work with organisations across the child safety community to ensure that more families are able to safely open up the creativity, learning and fun the Internet has to offer.”

Carolyn Bunting, General Manager of Internet Matters, said: “The new partnerships will go a long way to help the Internet Matters’ goal to make parents and children in the UK the most knowledgeable and engaged in the world in how to use the internet safely.

“The success of Internet Matters over the last two years has proved there’s a real demand from parents who want to know more about how to keep their children safe online, from setting parental controls and safety filters, to what it means when your 11 year old child has 900 followers on Instagram. There is not a day that goes by where the subject of internet safety is not in the news.”