Nearly 50 online companies are cooperating to launch America Links Up, a nationwide
public-awareness and education campaign aimed at providing adults and children
with the necessary information and tools to ensure a safe online experience.
A cornerstone of the America Links Up (ALU) campaign, which kicks off during
National Kids Online Week (Sept. 14-20), is teaching Internet basics and
safety tips throughout the school year during events at local schools,
libraries and community centers across the country.
Microsoft said that it committed up to
$500,000 to the campaign. Other “corporate hosts” include Time Warner, America
Online, Disney Online and AT&T.
“Microsoft is strongly committed to the goals
of the America Links Up campaign,” said Laura Jennings, vice president of MSN
at Microsoft. “We believe the collective efforts of nearly 50 online companies
and organizations will help educate children, their parents, teachers and
librarians about the safest ways to enjoy all the online world has to offer.”
Microsoft said that it challenged other major sites on the Web to commit online
advertising space on a large scale to promote the ALU Web site and activities.
Specifically, Microsoft agreed to match the commitments of fellow online
companies dollar for dollar with up to $500,000 in online advertising space.
This will result in a potential promotional commitment to ALU of $1 million.
Companies such as Infoseek Corp., Compaq Computer Corp.’s AltaVista and Yahoo! are already participating in the
advertising program, which will likely generate more than 25 million
impressions for ALU.
“Yahoo! is dedicated to enabling the Internet community, especially children
and their parents, to quickly, easily and safely access relevant and
appropriate content and services on the Internet,” said David Filo, Yahoo!’s
co-founder.
National Kids Online Week is the first phase of the America Links Up campaign
and the culmination of a nearly yearlong effort by the industry and the
nonprofit sector to promote Internet safety for children. Microsoft also said
it is creating and sponsoring Online Safety Month in October, which will be
promoted throughout Microsoft Web sites, and will host a local Internet Teach-
In event in the Seattle area with vendors such as Net Nanny Software
International Inc.
