New Zealand educational charity Hector’s World™ has joined with Google to create a new online resource, the Hector’s World ‘Tech Cave’, which empowers Kiwi children to teach themselves and their communities about technology.

Hector’s World is a free online teaching and learning resource used in many New Zealand primary schools and early childhood centres to teach ‘digital citizenship’ – the safe and responsible use of technology. 

The new Tech Cave section of www.hectorsworld.com will explain how different aspects of technology work, from the internet to mobile phones and GPS systems, equipping children with the tools they need to use technology effectively and safely. The first two Tech Cave modules, about how the internet and search engines work, have been created with the support of Google, as part of the company’s commitment to promote safer online experiences.

Liz Butterfield, Managing Director of Hector’s World, says: “These days our children are starting to use computers as soon as their fingers can reach the keyboard, so it’s important to teach them from the start about how technology works, and how to use it responsibly as they make their way in the online world.

“The Tech Cave offers the opportunity for children to learn in a fun and entertaining way about how particular online technologies work. 

“Importantly, the format also encourages children to engage their families and communities as they complete the lessons. The hope is that if parents and grandparents enjoy the modules themselves, they will pass this on to other family members. Grandparents can be important mentors of very young children, exploring the Hector’s World website together. Sometimes that mentoring can work both ways!”

Ishtar Vij from Google Australia and New Zealand says: “We’re really pleased to be working with Hector’s World to support the launch of the Tech Cave.

“Hector’s World does a tremendous job, and we share their commitment to promoting digital literacy and digital citizenship – qualities that will ensure Kiwi kids are well positioned to take advantage of the benefits of the internet in a smart, safe and responsible way.

“Knowing how technology works is all part of being a capable digital citizen. To be safe on a bicycle, for instance, children first need to know how the pedals and brakes work. Likewise, to be safe on the internet it helps to know how the technology works, which is exactly what the Tech Cave offers.”

The Tech Cave section of Hector’s World is now live at www.hectorsworld.com. For more on Hector’s World, see www.youtube.co.nz/hectorsworldnz

Hector’s World was awarded the Internet Best Practice Award for Best Security Initiative - at the forefront of developing solutions to security threats and building trust and confidence in the online environment.

The awards recognise organisations, businesses, groups and individuals that have made significant contributions towards the security, openness, diversity and accessibility of the Internet. They were launched at the 35th meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) in Sydney in 2009.

Click here to see the official announcement

Click here to read the InternetNZ media release

A new animated interactive online resource and music video about computer security skills, produced by Hector’s World, is being launched today by the Hon Nathan Guy, Minister of Internal Affairs.

Aimed at 5-9 year old aged children, their parents and teachers, the resources offer a foundation of basic computer security skills by introducing young children to topics like viruses and strong passwords.

Privacy Commissioner  Marie Shroff is also enthusiastic about the new resources. “We know from a recent UMR survey that New Zealanders are worried about children’s internet privacy. These are practical tools which will help to keep children safe online.”

“The new resources enable children to play a positive role in keeping their and their family’s information safe when using a computer online. Children can assist with the security of devices where important family information is stored, such as the family computer,” says Ms Shroff.

Liz Butterfield, Hector’s World Managing Director says, “We believe that young children can be active in their own defence online if we give them the skills and knowledge they need.  We know that children even at early primary level are using terms like ‘password’ and ‘downloading’. Yet, without a basic understanding of those concepts children cannot employ simple, proactive strategies to help keep their information secure and protect their computer.  We’ve made this learning process fun – how many songs about computer security can you name with a dance beat like ours?”

Ms Butterfield says, “Some children will enjoy the fun of these new resources and be curious about this subject matter; others will get all of the concepts right away and want to know much more.”
 
“In this era of online drop-down lists of hacking exploits and ready advice on building botnets, it’s important to channel the capability and talent our children have in a positive direction that benefits themselves, their family and their community. There is an important link between computer security, privacy and digital citizenship and the best place to start laying this foundation is when children are young.”

These new resources were created with a generous grant from the New Zealand Government’s Digital Strategy Community Partnership Fund.

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Go to
http://www.hectorsworld.com/island/main/episode_theatre_interior_01/index.html#EPISODETHEATREa to see the new resources.

The media is invited to attend the launch.

Launch details:
Date: Thursday, 3 June,
Time: 9:15am for 9:30am start. Finish 10.30am
Venue: Northland School, 14 Harbour View Road, Northland, Wellington 
To RSVP for the launch and for further details about the new resources, please contact:
Liz Butterfield
Managing Director, Hector’s World Ltd. 
021 72 5864 or LizB@hectorsworld.co.nz

Managing Director of Hector’s World Liz Butterfield says, “The cover helps children be aware of the webcam and think about using it before activating the device.”

“Our experience is that many young children using computers aren’t aware of the presence of a webcam, let alone how to manage its use effectively.  This simple paper cover can prompt a valuable discussion between parent and child, or teacher and student, about what a webcam is and how to manage its use safely.”

“Using the cover means the camera becomes ‘default off’, which is best with a young child. We suggest to children: ‘Know when you’re on show’.”

Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff welcomes the new tool. “We know from a recent UMR survey that New Zealanders are worried about children’s internet privacy.  There is a need for continued vigilance to protect children and young people. I recommend children and parents have a look at this new webcam tool.”

The cover is available in a number of designs with Hector’s World characters, and in versions for laptop and desktop webcam models. They can be used as a teaching activity for primary schools and early childhood centres as well.

Ms Butterfield adds, “It’s a fun project to make the webcam cover and turns the use of a webcam into an informed choice. Just simply asking a teacher or caregiver whether it’s okay to remove the cover for an online session is a constructive safety strategy for young children.”

“Computer malware that allows remote control of the webcam, termed ‘webcam capture’ is a reality of the internet, so I won’t be surprised if some adults like the extra security of the cover themselves!”

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For more information contact: Liz Butterfield 021 72 5864 or LizB@hectorsworld.co.nz
The webcam covers can be found in the Workshop and Info Island sections of the website http://www.hectorsworld.com/island/main/workshop_interior_01/index.html#WORKSHOPa

Click here to dowload a discussion document about raising awareness about webcams with younger children.

Click here to download a PDF of the full press release

The Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, the Hon Michael J. Scott, JP, MP, said: “In this age of advanced technology, the flow of information is readily accessible to even the youngest and most vulnerable members of our community.  It is important to ensure that online access is safe for all our children.” 

In May 2008, www.cybertips.bm and native Bermuda skink icon, Cyber Cyd, were launched. It is from this site that children can now connect to Hector and his friends. Whether from home, school or even mobile phone, Bermuda children can enjoy the wealth of resources Hector’s World offers: animated episodes, puzzles, music videos, games, songs, and more. 

The Hector’s World website is also a fantastic learning resource for use on the computers and interactive whiteboards in Bermuda classrooms.

Liz Butterfield, Managing Director of New Zealand charity Hector’s World Ltd. says, “With Hector’s World education, we can build a holistic, digital citizenship learning foundation for young children, from their first online access.  This can help them mature into confident and capable digital citizens.  We are delighted to see Bermuda children now learning from Hector’s World.  Our bottlenose dolphin Hector will enjoy visiting the classrooms of this beautiful island nation – it will remind him of home.”

Bermuda is the first Education Partner in North America and the Caribbean.  Hector’s World is already used in New Zealand, the UK, and Australia.  There will be launches in other countries later this year.
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For further comment:
In Bermuda: Magnus Henagulph +1 441 504 3032  rmhenagulph@gov.bm 
Public Affairs Officer,  Department of Communication and Information

Liz Butterfield +64  21 72 5864 or email LizB@hectorsworld.co.nz

The 10 minute guided tours give children a fun overview of website activities, with special versions for parents and educators to help them promote digital citizenship and safe online behavior.

Click here to take a look at our new website tours…

The team, who call their project ‘Creative Cyber Citizens’ (CCC), entered the prestigious competition with their project designed to teach younger students to be safe and responsible Digital Citizens.

The ‘CCC’ team identified the extensive use of technology in their school and wanted to promote responsible behavior in cyberspace to all students at the school. 

The CCC team also held an evening community event for parents and caregivers to encourage the same responsible behaviors at home.

The team used the Hector’s World^® resources (www.hectorsworld.com), which are available free to New Zealand schools, to implement their project. They chose the Hector’s World resources because they encourage young people to be good digital citizens in their use of all technologies, including the internet and mobile phones.

Judges evaluated the group’s concept, follow-through and future plans and awarded the CCC Team first place in the Junior Division of CmPS.

The CCC team will now work alongside another winning team from the Mission Heights Junior College to fundraise the $75,000 required to get the students and their coaches to the International Future Problem Solving finals in the USA in May 2010.

“The CCC Team is inspiring in their passion for mentoring younger children,” says Managing Director of Hector’s World, Liz Butterfield. “Their enthusiasm and creativity can’t help but engage the younger students and we hope this idea catches on in other schools. The mentoring is itself a superb example of digital citizenship - sharing valuable online skills and knowledge with other members of the school community.”
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For more information contact: Principal Veena Vohra, Missions Heights Primary School
09 277 7881 or Liz Butterfield, who is overseas, by sending a text with your number to +64 21 72 5864  or an email to  LizB@hectorsworld.co.nz
Higher resolution images are available on request.

 Click here for a full version of the media release

Hector’s World^® is an internationally recognised education initiative which helps children 2-9 years old stay safe online and learn about digital citizenship.  HWL is one of the first charities in New Zealand and Australia to have such an ad-free channel.

One of HWL’s key resources is the virtual world of Silicon Deep, which is located at www.hectorsworld.com.  The new Hector’s World^® YouTube channel will showcase some of the exciting multi-media content which is available in Silicon Deep, including animated clips, songs, music videos and interviews.  Also included will be the newly launched cyberbullying music video with New Zealand’s hot new animated band Antipodes!  All of this engaging content helps children build the skills they need for life online. 

Liz Butterfield, Managing Director of Hector’s World Limited, says “This brand channel is a great ‘home’ for Hector Protector and his friends on YouTube. It gives us an important, ad-free platform with which to reach the parents, teachers and older siblings of young children.  It also offers a great international profile for New Zealand digital content and these important child safety messages.”

“Children in our target age group are too young for unsupervised use of YouTube, but this brand channel is an ideal way to catch the attention of those looking after young children and help them start the digital citizenship conversation.”

Annie Baxter, spokesperson for Google New Zealand says, “Google and Hector’s World share a belief in educating young people to help them mature into good digital citizens with the ability to manage their experience online.  We hope that, through the YouTube channel, more people will become aware of the great work that Hector’s World is doing towards empowering children to be caring, capable and responsible members of the online community.”
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Contact: Liz Butterfield 021 72 5864 or LizB@hectorsworld.co.nz 

High resolution images are available on request.

Click here to download a PDF of the full media release…

The new resources are designed for primary school aged children and include:
• an interactive animated episode
• a music video
• a song
• colourful song sheets
• teacher lesson plans for three different age groups.

Liz Butterfield, Managing Director of Hector’s World Limited, says…

Click here to read more…

Radio New Zealand’s Kathryn Ryan interviews Liz Butterfield of Hector’s World Limited, Dr Ilene Berson of the University of South Florida, and Dr Michael Rich of The Centre on Media and Child Health at Harvard Medical School about the latest ’virtual playgrounds’ for younger children.

Click here (and select ‘Virtual Worlds for Children and Advertising’) to to listen to the Radio New Zealand interview.