Joint efforts to promote cyber ethics among youngsters

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Youngsters as well as their parents and teachers can log on to a new website http://cesy.qed.hkedcity.net which was launched today (August 15) for information and guidance on ethics in using the internet.

The website on Cyber Ethics for Students and Youth (CESY) is the fruit of the joint efforts by various Government departments including the Hong Kong Police (HKP), the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB), the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (TELA) and other non-governmental organisations.

It has been developed in response to youngsters' widespread use of communication and IT and their exposure to potential hazards of illegal activities including copyright infringement, publishing obscene and indecent articles, spreading viruses and hoax messages and hacking.

To promote cyber ethics among the younger generation and to protect them from potential threats in relation to the use of the internet, an ad hoc committee on CESY was set up last year with representatives from HKP, EMB, TELA as well as associations of parents and teachers, internet service providers, psychologists and social workers.

The committee conducted an online survey from October to December to gauge youngsters' online habits and behaviour in different aspects.

Some 2,500 replies were received from students from primary and secondary schools on questions over their activities on the internet such as online games and chatting, way of disclosure of personal information, attitudes towards intellectual property rights as well as experiences with hacking.

Findings from the survey formed the basis for the design of the website on CESY which addresses four important issues namely legislation, ethics, psychology and IT security.

Today's ceremony, held at the Police Officers' Club in Causeway Bay, was officiated by Police Director of Crime and Security, Mr Chau Foo-cheong, as well as representatives from EMB, TELA and other organisations involved in the survey and the design of the website.

Meanwhile, the booths set up by various parties to promote IT knowledge and related information proved very popular among young guests.

Police Report No. 4

Issued by PPRB

End/1600 hours, Friday, August 15, 2003

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