Software firms push proper use of Internet
Building awareness on the proper use of the Internet must be pursued vigorously to ensure the youth will be guided properly toward using the most influential tool today, according to the umbrella organization of global software companies.
In a recent briefing in Makati City, Tarum Sawney, Business Software Alliance (BSA) senior director for antipiracy in Asia-Pacific, said the campaign on the proper use of the Internet needs the support of every member of society, most especially the government because of its pervasive role in policymaking.
As far as the Philippine government is concerned, the BSA said it is very pleased with the support given to its B4USurf campaign through the issuance of Department of Education Order 105, entitled “Guidelines in Managing the Proper Use of Internet Services in All Administrative Offices and Schools.” The guidelines direct to BSA’s B4USurf web site as a resource that should be visited by educators, parents and students for pointers on cyber ethics and cyber safety.
“The BSA is pleased that the Philippine government, through the issuance of these Internet use guidelines, is playing an increasingly active role in educating the youth on the proper use of computers in schools and homes,” he said during the media briefing.
To ensure the campaign will cover the major sectors, the web site (www.b4usurf.org) has three main sections—for educators, parents and for the youth 10 to 18 years old. Each section contains materials, resources and activities discussing topics ranging from intellectual property and Internet safety, to the use of software tools in tracking online activities. B4USurf was launched in 2008.
Although the Internet has become the most pervasive element in the daily lives of the people, especially the youth, Sawney said the youth must be aware of the numerous risks and security threats that can be found on the Internet. He added parents and teachers have an important role to play in teaching the young on the proper use of the Internet.
Sawney added that parents must embrace the Internet because they will be the guardians of the youth at home. “Parents and teachers play an important role in helping the young people understand the importance of cyber ethics and cyber safety to avoid the many risks they face online,” he said.
“But in order to teach the young people, the parents and teachers should also be cyber-savvy and attuned to the concepts of proper Internet usage. B4USurf can help them gain such knowledge that can, in turn, impart to their children or the pupils as the case may be,” he added.
On a long-term perspective, Sawney said BSA hopes the DepEd will adopt subjects on cyber-ethics or cyber-safety as part of the official curriculum for high-school students to teach students on how to productively and safely deal with the Internet. BusinessMirror