Google launches online safety resource in New Zealand

Google today announced the launch of a dedicated New Zealand page containing online safety and security tips, as well as a New Zealand safety centre on YouTube, containing information and resources from experts and prominent New Zealand safety organisations like Hectors World, Netsafe and Lifeline Auckland.

Google is a partner of Safer Internet Day (Tuesday 10 February), an international initiative supported by Netsafe that aims to give children, parents and teachers sound advice on how best to manage online risks so their experiences are safe and positive.

Google has developed and collected resources, tools and knowledge to help people surf the web with peace of mind, including information on cyber citizenship, child and teen safety, hateful content, harassment and cyberbullying, suicide, spam and phishing.

The YouTube Safety Centre makes it easier to access YouTube's Help and Safety Tool, which gives users granular control over their channel (like blocking comments from specific users) and the ability to quickly report concerns. The YouTube Safety Centre also includes content from Hectors World and Netsafe, as well as information from Lifeline Auckland, and details on how to report concerns to the New Zealand Police.

When it comes to online safety, Google's approach is to:

· Empower parents with tools to help them choose what content their children see online;

· Educate children and parents on how to stay safe online;

· Protect children by working with law enforcement and industry.

Google's SafeSearch screens for sites that contain adult sites and eliminates them from search results. While no filter is 100% accurate, Google's filter uses advanced technology to check keywords, phrases, and URLs. People can modify their computers' SafeSearch settings by clicking on the Preferences link to the right of the Google search box.