Brussels – To mark Safer Internet Day 2011, ETNO today launches a new web page which gives an overview of ETNO members’ services and awareness campaigns aimed at a safer use of ICT services by young users.

“As children start at ever younger ages using Internet and other communication services, it is our mission to make them safe, by including parental control tools, offering services especially designed for youngsters and notably through educational and awareness raising programmes. This new ETNO web site shows ETNO members’ voluntary and serious commitment to online child protection”, says Pedro Goncalves, Portugal Telecom, Chair of the ETNO Child Protection Task Team.

“With new devices that are increasingly popular among young people and which allow them to surf the Internet and download applications while on the move, it is very important to raise awareness amongst children and to give parents the tools to protect their siblings. Trust and confidence are essential for achieving the Digital Agenda and ETNO members are committed to play their role”, says Michael Bartholomew, ETNO Director.

ETNO companies include features in their broadband, mobile or IPTV packages that allow parents to control the content and services their children access and also limit their consumption and the time they spend online.

ETNO members believe that security measures need to be complemented by educational and awareness campaigns on the dangers associated with surfing online and on safe usage of ICT services, in close cooperation with NGOs, schools and parents.

Finally, ETNO members are engaged with other stakeholders through voluntary codes of conduct to ensure a safer use of ICT services by children.

The ETNO Child Protection Task Team aims at steering ETNO members’ activities in child protection, identifying and understanding existing and potential risks, and continuously adapting the measures to guarantee online child safety.

To discover the new ETNO Child Protection web site, please consult: http://www.etno.be/Default.aspx?tabid=2327

For more information, please contact Thierry Dieu, ETNO Communications Manager Tel:    (32-2) 219 32 42 Fax:  (32-2) 219 64 12 E-mail: dieu@etno.be