Media Awareness Network Receives International Internet Awareness and Education Award

Ottawa, ON, March 8, 2004—Canada’s Media Awareness Network (MNet) was honoured today as a global leader in Internet safety education by WiredSafety (http://www.wiredsafety.org). The WiredKids Excellence in Internet Awareness and Education Award is part of a new international awards program established by U.S.-based WiredSafety, the world’s largest online safety, education and help group. Dr. Parry Aftab, Executive Director of WiredSafety, was in Ottawa today to personally present the award as part of a series of meetings with Internet safety experts in Europe, Canada, Australia and Southeast Asia.

“When we looked at leading organizations working in the area of Internet safety education, Media Awareness Network stood out,” says Dr. Aftab. “In particular, we singled out this Canadian centre of media education excellence because of the depth and relevance of its Internet literacy program. Its Web site is packed with terrific, practical resources. That’s why it’s so popular with educators, librarians, researchers, and parents around the world.”

In accepting the award for Media Awareness Network, Executive Director Jan D’Arcy said, “This award from WiredSafety, itself a well-known leader in Internet safety, recognizes the quality of our research-based media education work at home and abroad, and underlines Canada’s leadership in the innovative adaptation of technology for life-long learning. Media Awareness Network’s success, which this award celebrates, is only possible with the tremendous support we receive from our partners in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.”

Both Ms. D’Arcy and Dr. Aftab underlined that they see the award presentation not as indicative of work completed, but as validation for ongoing efforts to raise awareness of Internet safety issues. It also focuses public attention on the need for an education response that supports young people in developing the media literacy skills they need to be safe, wise, and responsible media consumers and citizens in our knowledge-rich society and economy.

Reflecting on MNet’s contributions, Dr. Aftab explained that, “Media Awareness Network has protected and educated children online long before it was fashionable. Their work on online privacy was the first of its kind anywhere in the world. Those of us considered experts in this space have always followed in the footsteps of Media Awareness Network.”

Media Awareness Network was formed in 1996 to research, support, and encourage, media literacy and its widest possible integration into Canadian homes, schools and communities. In pursuing that mission, MNet builds on the energy and enthusiasm young people bring to the media they love – an approach that sees media education as learner-centered, and fosters life-long critical thinking skills.

For a 90-second tour of MNet’s award-winning site, visit: www.media-awareness.ca/promo/index.cfm. For additional information about WiredSafety, go to: https://www.wiredsafety.org.

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Media Awareness Network (MNet) is a non-profit Canadian organization whose mission is to support and encourage media education, and its widest possible integration into Canadian schools, homes and communities. MNet’s sponsors and partners include: Bell Canada • Shaw Communications Inc. • Rogers Cable Communications Inc • AOL Canada Inc. • Microsoft Canada • CHUM Television CTV Inc. • TELUS • Craig Media Inc. • Canadian Recording Industry Association • Alliance Atlantis • National Film Board of Canada • BCE Inc. • CanWest Global Communications • Canadian Heritage • Health Canada • Human Resources Development Canada • Industry Canada • Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

WiredSafety, is a 501(c)(3) Program and the largest online safety, education and help group in the world. We are a cyber-neighborhood watch and operate worldwide in cyberspace through our more than 9,000 volunteers worldwide. (WiredSafety is run entirely by volunteers.)

Our work falls into four major areas:

• help for online victims of cybercrime and harassment
• assisting law enforcement worldwide on preventing and investigating cybercrimes
• education
• providing information on all aspects of online safety, privacy and security.

We offer a wide variety of educational and help services to the internet community at large. Other volunteers find and review family-friendly Web sites, filter software products and Internet services. Along with the volunteers of our affiliated WiredKids.org, our WiredTeens and Teenangels, CyberMoms and CyberDads volunteers speak at local community groups and schools around the country teaching Internet safety. Our Cyber911 help line gives netizens access to help when they need it online. We are proud of our reputation as the one-stop-shop for all cyberspace safety, privacy, security and help needs. For more information, browse our Web site (www.wiredsafety.org), or e-mail Parry Aftab, Executive Director, WiredSafety (parry@aftab.com).