Telstra ups funding for foundation

Peter Dinham
Tuesday, 09 June 2009 15:58

Business IT - Security

Telstra’s showing its caring, philanthropic face during Australia’s national e-security awareness week with an announcement today that it is doubling funding to its Telstra Foundation for use in the spotlight on cyber safety program this year.

The foundation chairman, former Olympic gold medallist, Herb Elliott, AC, MBE, said the new funding allocation of $3 million would bring the value of Telstra’s investment in youth cyber safety to $6 million over six years.

Elliott said the philanthropic fund’s spotlight on cyber safety program was aimed at keeping young people safe from online threats like cyber-bullying when they use the Internet and mobile phones.

“The funding will allow children and young people to enjoy using technology, while empowering them to protect themselves them from the dangers present in the digital world.

“The spotlight on cyber safety program was created two years ago with $3 million to tackle the emerging issue of youth safety online and on mobile phones.

“Today we underline that commitment by doubling the funds available to community programs that empower and protect children in the digital world. These funds will enable us to continue to support initiatives that build resilience, teach online safety, and provide advice and initiatives to support youth cyber safety.
 
According to Elliott, recent widespread coverage of online bullying and improper use of mobile phones by children “demonstrates the importance of this work, and how deeply the issue resonates within the community.”

Elliott also said that one of the (foundation’s) latest beneficiaries was the Inspire Foundation’s Technology and Wellbeing Roundtable, an Australian first initiative, which “brings together thought leaders, who collaborate to share insight into how technology can be an enabler of wellbeing for young people, and identify possible issues to then develop and promote best practice.”