MSN Canada revamps Internet safety site to educate parents about the latest online safety trends and issues
Internet Safety Experts Paul Gillespie and Debbie Gordon provide detailed advice
Toronto, Ontario - July 25, 2007 - Parents trying to better understand their children’s online world have a new resource to consult – MSN Canada, a division of Microsoft Canada Co., has revamped its online safety site http://safety.sympatico.msn.ca. The interactive site contains articles on hot topics such as social networking, cyber bullying, Internet safety best practices and includes the chance for parents to ask questions and hear advice from online experts Debbie Gordon and Paul Gillespie.
“Online safety has always been a priority at MSN Canada, both from a product and education standpoint,” said Owen Sagness, Vice President, MSN Canada. “This site builds on that commitment, but targets parents specifically, giving them the chance to learn first hand from experts in the field.”
Highlights of the site include an interactive section called ‘Ask Debbie’ and a video by Internationally-recognized online safety expert Paul Gillespie. In the ‘Ask Debbie’ section, parents are encouraged to email media literacy expert Debbie Gordon with questions concerning their child’s online behaviour. New questions and answers will be posted bi-weekly and archived to serve as a resource for parents visiting the site.
Parents can also access a series of online safety videos featuring former police officer, Paul Gillespie. This video covers a range of topics including cyber bullying and helping to protect personal information while referencing up-to-date stats and anecdotes designed to help parents keep their kids safe while online. The videos draw from Paul’s recent cross Canada TAKE BACK THE NET tour for parents and children and the results of a recent Microsoft Canada and Ipsos Reid Internet safety survey.
Debbie Gordon is the Managing Director of Mediacs (www.mediacs.ca); an organization dedicated to advancing the cause of media and cyber literacy in Canadian schools. She has spent the last six years on the front lines - talking to kids, working with teachers and parents and bridging the gap between tech savvy children and their parents.
Paul Gillespie is the current Vice Chair of the Kids Internet Safety Alliance (www.kinsa.net), a non-profit organization that works to protect the rights and interests of children on the internet through advocacy, research, education and awareness initiatives.
About Windows Live™ and Sympatico / MSN
A set of personal Internet services and software, Windows Live is designed to bring together all the relationships, information and interests people care about most with enhanced safety and security features.
Services include Canada’s most used instant messaging, web-based email and social networking tools, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Spaces, as well as Live Search, Windows Live for Mobile and Windows Live OneCare. Sympatico.MSN.ca. is also Canada’s most popular online destination*, attracting more than 19 million Canadians each month. Offered in collaboration with Bell Canada, the site is an online leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and advertising opportunities to Canadian businesses. Windows Live and Sympatico.MSN.ca are offered as complementary services at sympatico.msn.ca. Beta versions of upcoming Windows Live products are available at ideas.live.com.
* comScore Media Metrics, May 2007
