netidme.co.uk

NetIDme’s Age Verification Software Gains BBFC.online Accreditation

NetIDme — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:06:41 +0000

NetIDme’s age-verification software has today been accredited by the British Board of Film Classification for its new media download classification scheme.

BBFC.online was launched in May and uses the Board’s famous ‘black cards’ and category symbols to enable users downloading new media content ? video-on-demand and streamed video which is offered to the public through websites, set-top boxes and portable media devices ? to judge whether it is suitable for consumption.

The scheme was devised after findings showed independent classification of downloadable or streaming video content, either on the internet or delivered by video-on-demand (VoD) services and via set-top-boxes, was patchy across the UK.

Independent research indicated that 63 per cent of adults (74 per cent of parents) were concerned about downloading video material which does not come with independent content advice and labelling. In addition, 84 per cent of adults (91 per cent of parents) wanted to see BBFC film and DVD classification on downloadable/streaming films and other digital audiovisual content.

BBFC.online has been developed over the past 18 months, in close partnership with the video and new media industries and the British Video Association.

The BBFC scheme also requires e-tailers and VoD services to have in place age-verification software such as that produced by NetIDme to enable parents to monitor and control underage viewing.

Glasgow-based NetIDme launched the world’s first online ID card for adults and children two years ago. Chief executive Alex Hewitt said: “BBFC.online is a revolutionary scheme that enables the application of the same rules in the online world that have been developed over many years to protect people in the real world.

To be one of the first companies to be accredited under the British Board of Film Classification’s scheme - and the only one capable of verifying under 18s - is a ringing endorsement of our age-verification software, which is currently used by a number of blue chip companies.”

Andy Cooke, Business Manager for BBFC.online, said: “We are pleased to commend NetIDme as a novel solution for our members in meeting their obligations to age-verify viewers of digital content in the 12, 15 and adult categories, whilst minimizing the exposure of younger viewers to potential abuse of their personal information.”

NetIDme was founded in August 2006 by Alex Hewitt after he was concerned over his daughter’s use of instant messaging. He was astonished to find that of the 150 people on his daughter’s online friends list she knew only 50.

The company provides patented identity verification and communication solutions for online communities and ecommerce sites. The NetIDme service is currently available in the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA.

Children being targeted through Social Networking Sites

rodger — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:11:46 +0000

It has been found that Young people living in North Somerset are being targeted by “paedophiles and internet bullies” through social networking sites.

The police have issued steps to take to avoid children from being a victim, “Advice we give out includes not putting a picture on the internet or any contact details such as email addresses and phone numbers or where they go to school”

The full article can be read here

New Media Film Classification Scheme Will Help Protect Kids

NetIDme — Wed, 21 May 2008 09:58:50 +0000

NetIDme welcomes the British Board of Film Classification’s new download classification scheme which was launched today.

BBFC.online will use the Board’s famous ‘black card’ category symbols to enable users downloading new media content - video-on-demand and streamed video which is offered to the public through websites, set-top boxes and portable media devices - to judge whether it is suitable for consumption. Independent classification of downloadable or streaming video content, either on the internet or delivered by video-on-demand (VoD) services and via set-top-boxes is currently very patchy.

Independent research has indicated that 63 per cent of adults (74 per cent of parents) are concerned about downloading video material which does not come with independent content advice and labelling. In addition, 84 per cent of adults (91 per cent of parents) want to see BBFC film and DVD classification on downloadable/streaming films and other digital audiovisual content. The BBFC scheme will also require e-tailers and VoD services to have age verification systems in place for parents to monitor and control underage viewing. NetIDme’s CEO, Alex Hewitt said: “Increasingly technology is allowing us to apply the same rules in the online world that have been developed over many years to protect our children in the real world. “In light of this I welcome the BBFC’s new scheme. I am sure all responsible online publishers and distributors of videos will welcome this new system which underlines the importance, once again, of age verification as a key tool in the child protection armoury.”

NetIDme was launched in August 2006 by Glasgow businessman Alex Hewitt after he was concerned over his daughter using instant messaging. He was astonished to find that of the 150 people on his daughter’s online friends list she knew only 50.

The company provides patented identity verification and communication solutions for online communities and ecommerce sites. A number of Blue Chip companies are currently using NetIDme’s age and identity verification technology including four Fortune 100 companies.

NetIDme cited in Times coverage of the BBFC new media scheme

Lack of Age Verification Means Kids Can Buy Adult Goods Online

NetIDme — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:14:51 +0000

London, 16 May 2008 – An MP wants to see online retailers caught selling alcohol or pornography to under-age children face a hefty fine or even imprisonment if they fail to put in place procedures to check the age of their customers. Labour MP Margaret Moran brings a Private Member’s Bill to the House of Commons on Friday 16 May for its second reading. The Bill is in response to an increasing number of cases that have exposed the ease with which children under 18 can buy alcohol, adult films and other age-restricted goods and services on the internet. Moran’s proposals aim to ensure that anyone selling age-restricted goods and services over the internet has to take steps to verify if customers are old enough.

John Carr, Director of NetIDme and one of the world’s leading experts on internet child safety said: “Margaret Moran’s Bill is important and we hope that it will get support from across the House. Online retailers are selling goods and services over the internet without any way of knowing if they are complying with the law. That cannot be right, and it puts young people at risk” A recent survey by Brent and Harrow Trading Standards Service revealed that an alarming seventy-five percent of online retailers supplied age restricted goods such as knives, alcohol, spray paints and, in one case, even a machete to a child of thirteen years of age. Bill Bilon, Director of Brent and Harrow Trading Standards said; “I am shocked and concerned at the types of products a thirteen year old child was able to successfully obtain through online purchases. The products that have been supplied so far have come from businesses who have not asked questions about the person age, albeit some had mentioned that the person had to be over 18 in their terms and conditions, others did nothing at all.” “Of those that did ask for age confirmation, this was facilitated by a tick box. If a child was minded to purchase knives, alcohol or other restricted goods, there is a strong possibility that they may just the tick the box to confirm that they are over eighteen in order to successfully obtain any product on line. Whilst I appreciate that businesses need to flourish, they also have a responsibility towards our young citizens” The ease with which children can buy age-restricted goods has magnified recently with the introduction of pre-pay debit cards. These cards can be purchased as gifts, and given to people of any age, or can even be bought over the counter directly by children. This means that Visa and Mastercard can no longer be linked exclusively to credit cards that are held by adults. A point that both companies have always made clear. The problem of course, is that if you have a card with a Mastercard or Visa logo on it, then you have something which is accepted anywhere where those logos appear, and that includes millions and millions of web sites. If Margaret Moran’s proposed Bill does come into force, thousands of online retailers may need to change their practices.

Myspace launch “Myspace Music”

rodger — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:04:27 +0000

Myspace has recently launched “Myspace Music”. It is a joint venture with “with Sony BMG, Universal Music Group and Warner Music”

The full article can be found here

Council logs on to Bebo

rodger — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:02:33 +0000

A city council is using the social networking site Bebo to its strengths to communicate their views across to the younger generation.

The council has set up a profile on Bebo “to promote Fairdeal, which is the council’s consumer advice and advocacy service for 11 to 21-year-olds”

From this profile visitors can easily get access to “Fairdeal” where they are able to “get advice on consumer issues and contact the team privately or publicly with a query.”

The full article can be found here

Cyber-Bullying becoming an increasing problem in Schools

rodger — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:57:03 +0000

From a survey conducted by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), Teachers from Norfolk speak out “after new figures revealed that more than 60pc of secondary school pupils are being affected by cyber-bullying”.

This high figure is due to electronic devices becoming more easily accessible and more common.

The full article can be found here

Parents warned of cyber-bullying taking place in schools

rodger — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:49:26 +0000

Members of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers have “urged parents to become more aware of ‘cyber-bullying’ that may be affecting their children at school”.

A recent survey of ATL members discovered that “over half know of pupils being bullied through the use of mobile phones or the internet”.

Also found was that 16 percent of the members surveyed were “victims of such bullying themselves”.

The rest of the article can be found here.

AOL buys Bebo for $850m cash

rodger — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:45:53 +0000

AOL has bought Bebo for an estimated $850 million in cash. The social networking site has an “audience of 7.1 million people”.

You can read the full article here

School Acts Against Cyber-bullying

rodger — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:27:03 +0000

Cyberbullying is increasingly becoming a major problems across schools. With bullies taking their threats out of the school playground and onto the internet.

A campaign was launched by the NSPCC to help tackle this very problem in Wreham.

All the representatives from the county’s secondary schools have “received anti-bullying training”. But this has been taken a step further in “Ysgol Bryn Alyn in Gwersyllt is the first where all staff have undergone anti-bullying training as part of the campaign”.

The full article can be found here