Is Every European a Digital Citizen?

LONDON - The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) will host their third annual European conference in London on May 10, 2011. The conference, "Every European a Digital Citizen," brings together an international audience of online safety experts to discuss key Internet issues including privacy, data retention, mobile usage, digital citizenship, research findings and public policy developments in Europe.

The FOSI conference aligns closely with the European Union's Digital Agenda for Europe, which aims to ensure that all European citizens can enjoy the access, skills, competencies and trust necessary to use and benefit from Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). According to a European Commission Eurobarometer survey, 43% of EU households still do not have Internet access; the Digital Agenda will chart a course to maximize the social and economic potential of the Internet and ensure greater access for all.

The FOSI conference convenes an audience of policymakers, Internet industry leaders, educators, legislators, law enforcement, Internet safety advocates, teachers and technologists together to discuss these issues in the hopes of ensuring that every European can become a digital citizen. The conference consists of a series of sessions moderated by acclaimed researchers and industry leaders. Sessions cover the latest research updates, public policy in a social media world, new mobile technologies, the privacy debate, rights and responsibilities online, and the new digital landscape. The conference will also include an update on the Global Resource and Information Directory (GRID), a free online portal that collates, consolidates and tracks family online safety initiatives and programs around the globe.

"Neelie Kroes, Vice President of the European Commission, has put forth the call to make 'Every European Digital' and FOSI echoes her call to action in today's conference," said Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI. "Internet access is an important issue around the world and the first step in the process of developing digital citizens. With the right combination of tools, rules and schools, we can develop a broadband responsibility program that empowers children by providing them with the skills they need to make smart choices online." "The theme of this year's conference is 'Every European a Digital Citizen,' and BT embraces that idea in our work with FOSI," said Warren Buckley, Managing Director, Customer Services, BT and a keynote speaker at the conference. "We're pleased to host this conference at a time when online safety issues are top of mind. Together, we can make the Internet a safer place for children and their families." The European conference will be held at BT Centre, 81 Newgate Street, London. See our full conference agenda.

About FOSI

The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) works to make the online world safer for kids and their families by identifying and promoting best practices, tools and methods that also respect free speech. FOSI's members include: AOL, AT&T, Blue Coat Systems, BT Retail, Comcast, Disney, Entertainment Software Association, Facebook, France Telecom, Google, GSM Association, Microsoft, Motion Picture Association of America, NCTA, Ning, Nominum, Optenet, RuleSpace, Sprint, StreamShield, Symantec, Time Warner Cable, Telefónica, TELMEX, T-Mobile, USTelecom, The Wireless Foundation, Verizon and Yahoo!. FOSI hosts an annual international conference to bring together Internet safety advocates from a variety of sectors, including global corporations, government, non-profits, academia and the media, to discuss the current pulse of online safety and emerging solutions that will enhance it.