Friendly WiFi, the Public WiFi accreditation scheme established with the support of industry and the UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS), is pleased to announce a new partnership formed with South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL) to help provide access to the accreditation for schools and further promote awareness of the colourful Friendly WiFi logo, to help children and young people stay safe online.
The exclusive arrangement with SWGfL enables schools to apply for the accreditation allowing the use of the Friendly WiFi logo to display on their WiFi landing page, around the school and on their websites to show their pupils, parents, teachers and visitors, that the WiFi access they provide is safe to use.
By displaying the Friendly WiFi logo, schools can promote and acknowledge their social responsibility by clearly showing that they care about their internet users' safety online. This is especially comforting for parents with children who are provided with school internet access for their personal devices, it also helps young people become aware of other safe venues when out and about.
“We are really excited about our new partnership with SWGfL and their commitment to safeguarding our children when browsing the web online at school”, said RDI spokesperson Mike Davies. “Providing the ability for schools to use and display the logo is an excellent way to promote the awareness of online safety to children and young people, providing them the comfort that wherever they see the logo, they can be sure the WiFi meets a safe and recognised standard”.
“Supporting schools and other organisations to keep young people safer online is a key priority at SWGfL so we’re delighted to be working in partnership with Friendly WiFi to help promote awareness of the scheme” explained SWGfL’s Education Manager, Julia Adamson. “And in line with our core principles, to support schools to save money, we’re delighted to be able to offer membership to the scheme at a significantly discounted rate”.
Baroness Shields, the UK's Minister for Internet Safety and Security said:
“Keeping children and young people safe online is of paramount importance, and a priority for Government. It's extremely encouraging to see key organisations that provide schools with safe and secure connectivity supporting the friendly WiFi scheme. It will help make the internet a safer place for children.”
For further information on the Friendly WiFi initiative, please click here or go to the SWGfL Friendly WiFi pages to read more about the partnership and how to register.
