CIRA and Media Awareness Network help build kids' cyber security smarts

October 28, 2011 (Ottawa) – To mark Cyber Security Awareness Month, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) and Media Awareness Network (MNet) launched a new teaching unit to help students develop safe and secure online practices.

While studies show Canadian youth are more tech savvy than older Internet users, they are also more likely to take security risks online. Winning the Cyber Security Game aims to give students in grades 5-8 tools and strategies to mitigate and prevent negative online experiences.

“Children are engaging in a wide range of online activities at increasingly younger ages,” said Media Awareness Network Co-Executive Director Jane Tallim. “It makes sense to start young when teaching them tools and techniques to keep their online interactions positive and protected.”

The new teaching unit complements the Cyber Security Consumer Tip Sheet for adults released by CIRA and MNet in April 2011. It covers a wide range of online security issues including online scams, viruses and spam. It also cautions youth of safety and privacy risks in environments that encourage people to share personal information.

“Canadians’ Internet usage is almost double the worldwide average,” said CIRA President and CEO Byron Holland. “It is more important than ever to teach our youth the importance of being safe and secure online. Establishing safe practices will help them enjoy positive life-long experiences on the Internet.”

Winning the Cyber Security Game is available at http://www.cira.ca and is one of many digital literacy resources freely available on the MNet website at www.media-awareness.ca

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About CIRA
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority is the member-driven organization that manages Canada's .CA domain name registry, develops and implements policies that support Canada's Internet community, and represents the .CA registry internationally.

About MNet
Media Awareness Network (MNet) is a Canadian not-for-profit centre for digital and media literacy. MNet's programs are funded by its public and private sector sponsors and partners, who include: Bell Media - Shaw - Bell - TELUS - CIRA - Google - National Film Board of Canada - Government of Canada.

For additional information, contact:

Jennifer Austin
Senior Manager, Communications and Marketing
Canadian Internet Registration Authority
(613) 237-5335 ext. 296
jennifer.austin@cira.ca

Cathy Wing
Co-Executive Director
Media Awareness Network
613-224-7721, Ext. 227
cwing@media-awareness.ca