IFPI welcomes internet charity's 'Know IT All for Parents' campaign

Government-backed education project recommends music sector's Digital File Check software

London, 10 October 2006

IFPI today hailed the launch in the UK of the new 'Know IT All For Parents" campaign by Childnet International, the leading children's internet safety organisation. 'Know IT All For Parents' is aimed at helping adults better support their children's positive and safe use of the internet.

The campaign will see the distribution of an interactive CD ROM to 100,000 families who, over the next two years, will receive a computer as part of the Government's Computers for Pupils initiative. This national programme aims to put computers into the homes of pupils who don't have one, in order to give them the same opportunities as their peers.

The CD ROM provides information and links to the free software 'Digital File Check'. DFC was developed by the music sector educational alliance pro-music (www.pro-music.org) to help people ensure that they enjoy music safely and legally on the home computer. and stop illegally file-sharing music and films.

The internet safety advice which has already been translated into Bengali and Urdu, is presented by themes which relate to family life, such as downloading music, chatting or searching for information. As more and more children are accessing the internet through their mobile phones, there is also a separate section covering safe mobile use.

A key aim of the CD ROM is to encourage parents to have a dialogue with their children about the internet; this is why the CD ROM includes an activity centre with quizzes and games that parents and children can do together. A unique feature of the CD ROM is the ability to design and print out a special internet use 'Family Agreement' certificate which the family has agreed in relation to safety and responsible use in the home.

The CD ROM links to a wide range of safety organisations and where parents can report their concerns. These include The Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre (www.ceop.gov.uk) and The Internet Watch Foundation (www.iwf.org.uk).

John Kennedy, chairman and chief executive of IFPI, says: "This is the best educational initiative of its kind that I have seen that helps explain the safety and legal issues around music downloading. In addition to its valuable advice on everything from spyware to online shopping, the 'Know it all for Parents' programme very effectively highlights to families the right way to download music, the more than 350 legal websites where you can do it and the risks you run by illegally file-sharing on peer-to-peer networks'.

For further information about 'Know IT All for Parents' and a chance to see some of the video content on the CD please visit: www.childnet-int.org/kia

Notes to editors:

About IFPI

IFPI is the organisation that promotes the interests of the international recording industry worldwide. Its membership comprises over 1400 major and independent companies in more than 70 countries. It also has affiliated industry national groups in 48 countries. IFPI's mission is to fight music piracy; promote fair market access and good copyright laws; help develop the legal conditions and the technologies for the recording industry to prosper in the digital era; and to promote the value of music.

For further information about Childnet please contact:
Mary Louise Morris, KIA4P project Manager tel 0774 0369 806 or email marylouise@childnet-int.org Stephen Carrick-Davies (CEO) tel 0771 2451 859 or email stephen@childnet-int.org

About Childnet International

Childnet International is a registered charity, (no 1080173) set up in 1995 - with the mission to work in partnership with others around the world to help make the internet a great and safe place for children. The organisation seeks to take a balanced view of the issues of children and the internet and is active in seeking to promote the positive ways in which the internet can be used by children for social benefit. For example see www.childnetacademy.org Childnet is also involved in responding to the negative aspects of children's use of new media and has produced award-winning education and awareness programmes such as its www.kidsmart.org.uk for schools. For full information about the charity see www.childnet-int.org

For further information about the DfES Computers for Pupils initiative contact:
Owen McConnel DfES - tel 020 7273 5524 or email owen.mcconell@dfes.gsi.gov.uk

About Computers for Pupils

The Computers for Pupils initiative was launched in 2006 by the Department for Education and Skills. The project aims to put computers into the homes of pupils who don't have one, in order to give them the same opportunities as their peers. Having a computer in the home can help with homework, motivate pupils to learn and help develop technical and life skills which can benefit the whole family and wider community.

Alex Jacob
Communications Team
IFPI
Tel: +44 (0)20 7878 7940
Mob: +44 (0)792 0238 655
Fax: +44 (0)20 7878 7950
IFPI Secretariat
54 Regent Street
London W1B 5RE