Dear Friend,

As I meet and talk to parents around our area, I hear again and again of their concerns about keeping children safe especially with the rise of new Internet technology that can open the door to strangers and violent video games.

That’s why it is so important for parents to talk to their children about what they are doing online. Nearly everyone is sure that something can be done about it, but no easy solution exists. There is no better solution than a simple conversation that begs the question – “What did you do online today?”

All my political life, I have worked hard to help our children get the best possible start in life and that is why I am leading this “Protect our children - IT Campaign”. I work with many organisations and parents to help develop the educational and enjoyable aspects for children of multi-media activities. They very much welcome the positive potential but like me, are concerned that some of these activities may be age-inappropriate, offensive and even dangerous.

I have raised these issues with my colleagues in Government and I am pushing for more safety mechanisms to be put in place and am exploring many other options. Some supports are in place, see www.webwise.ie and www.ncte.ie. In the meantime I hope you find this 10 point message helpful. To lend support to my “Protect our children IT Campaign”, please visit click on the appropriate icon on this website.

Yours sincerely

Senator Ivor Callely

• 10 Point Message
• TLC for parents
• Video games
• Be wise on the web
• The Webwise Safe Use Guide
• Reporting Illegal Material
• Key Contacts
• Launch of the ICIA Parents Guide
• Final words of comfort