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2002

THUS Supports Internet Safety at Junior Citizen 2002

For the second year running, THUS, the leading communications company, is working with the Surrey police force at Junior Citizen 2002 which is being held at Epsom and Lingfield Park racecourses, to demonstrate to local young people how to enjoy the Internet safely.

With more and more young people getting online, PC Tom Campbell asked THUS to join with some of the more traditional safety agencies to educate young people about the potential risks when using the Internet and what they can do for themselves to avoid these dangers. Building on the success of last year's event with East Surrey Police, THUS has returned and has also been invited to work with the young people of Epsom, Ewell and Mole Valley.

The police lead scheme is designed for children who are in their last year at primary school, and 2,000 children across the county are expected to get involved in the fun and safe learning environment.

Mark Gracey, Legal Liaison Manager at THUS and a group of volunteers from THUS will attend the month long event that will have daily sessions of interactive workshops and discussion groups. Mark will highlight the opportunities to play, chat and learn on the Internet and talk through the potential risks to them. Working with Childnet International, a non-profit organisation set up to make sure that the Internet is a great place for children, the THUS volunteers will demonstrate their SMART guidelines for Internet safety to raise awareness of who you may talk with on the Internet and what you might access.

Mark explains,

"THUS believes that the Internet is an invaluable tool that will play a significant and fundamental role in the future of young people. We want to encourage safe Internet use from an early age, to enable the full potentials of the web to be exploited. We also believe that it is also equally important to educate parents and raise awareness of potential issues and with Childnet's support, each child will be encouraged to take home learning brochures for parents."

THUS, owner of the leading ISP Demon brand, has long been a champion of young people's safety on the Internet. As a founder of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), THUS takes a proactive role in removal of paedophile newsgroup content from its servers and continually works with organisations across the industry to identify other measures to abolish illegal paedophile content. THUS also works with the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) on their educational awareness subgroup and with the Department for Education and Skills working group on Internet safety in schools.

PC Tom Campbell said,

"I am delighted to have THUS on board once again as the Internet continues to grow in popularity amongst young people. Many of the teachers that I have spoken to have expressed their appreciation in having Internet safety highlighted to children and adults alike at Junior Citizen 2002 and I look forward to working with them in the future."