Byron Review welcomed

The Family and Parenting Institute is pleased with the recommendations in Tanya Byron's review on the internet and video games and think that it will be a great help and reassurance to parents who are anxious about the dangers of new technology.

Mary MacLeod, Chief Executive of the Family and Parenting Institute said: "We warmly welcome Tanya Byron's recommendations. We know from parents that they have anxieties about their children playing video games and using the internet – especially as young people are more au fait with technology. Parents often feel in the dark about what their children get up to on the computer.

"We know that children have been exposed to inappropriate content on the internet, but we also understand it is really difficult to control how they use the web in a way that doesn't stop them enjoying it.

"We think that industry has a big part to play. Many families are driven by budgets so cheaper internet packages with maximum security would make a huge difference.

"Plus we would also like to see some investment from the industry put into teaching parents about the web, giving them a greater understanding of what their kids can do online, so that they can explain the risks to their children. For instance we work with Vodafone and produced with them a guide for parents on mobile phone use."

- ENDS -

March 2008

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