Telefónica, the country's leading telecommunications operator, will, along with other partners join the initiative organised by the National Centre for Safer Internet on the occasion of the Safer Internet Day.This day, falling this year on 7th February, has set a goal to remind people of the importance of safe and responsible behaviour on the internet, in particular in today's globalised world. Along with other activities, Telefónica will publish on its web site a useful guide for parents. Although less familiar with internet than their kids, the parents want to protect their kids from the risks lurking in cyberspace.
Nowadays, the telecommunications sector is facing one of the biggest challenges in terms of security. Based on recent statistics of the Ataxo Interactive study conducted for Telefónica, more than 50% of Czech kids do have a social network profile and 13% of them are younger than 13 years. Another IPSOS survey indicates that 86% of Czech parents allow their kids to use internet from the age of 7 years. "Our observations clearly show that children use internet as one of the main sources of information and communication tools. More people choose to share information over the internet and social networks, the consumers' demand for location-based services such as foursquarekeeps growing", added Josef Šlerka of Ataxa.
Telefónica is aware of its responsibility for a safe using of information technologies mainly by children and teenagers. "We see all our activities developed in order to protect internet and mobile communication as a natural part of business of a major provider of telecom services", said Jakub Chytil, member of the Board of Directors of Telefónica Czech Republic.This is why Telefónica has put together a special guide for parents. "This guide will support the slogan of this year's Safer Internet Day: "Reveal the digital world together, safely". The prime target of this campaign are families to help parents understand the way their kids use their cell phones and behave on the internet", addedd Jakub Chytil.
To raise the awareness of safer internet is the ambition of Safer Internet Ambassadors. These ambassadors are secondary school students making visits to chosen elementary schools to warn in an understandable language against the potential risks. The initiative was born as part of the Thing Big project helping young people change life in their communities for the better. Next, "Internet, a safer place for children" is a commitment of several ICT corporations in Europe creating a coalition promoted by the European Commission. Telefónica is among its members.