A Safer Online Environment for Children
Thongchai Sangsiri
Director, Center for Computer Forensics
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, Thailand
39th Meeting of the APEC Telecommunications & Information Working Group
Workshop on Promoting Safer Internet Environment for Children15 April 2009, Singapore
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Agenda
• Overview
• Challenges
• Our Approach
• Outcome
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Computer and Internet Users(%)
61.1
19.3
51.8
39.7
23.6
15.912.8
8.44.42.9
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
6-14 Yr 15-24 Yr 25-34 Yr 35-49 Yr 50+
Computer
Internet
Source: ICT Development Index 2008 by National Statistical Office
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Who Is Watching Our Children?
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Challenges
• Knowledge?
– Most children lack basic awareness of online
dangers
– Most parents and teachers lack computer
knowledge/skills
• What else?
– Lack effective tool to monitor and prevent
harm (at an affordable price)
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Our Approach
• Targets
– School-age children
– Parents
– Teachers
• Government Initiatives
– Develop free and easy-to-use tool
– Provide awareness training
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Collaborative Effort
King
Mongkut’s Institute
of TechnologyChildren
Parents
Teachers
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Tool Development
• Commercial software
– Expensive
– Proprietary
– Inflexible
• Collaborate with KMITL to
develop own source code:
“ICT HouseKeeper”
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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ICT HouseKeeper
• Functions:
– Password-protected setup module
– Website access control
– Program/game control
– Computer time control
• Services:
– Website for update and announcement
(http://hk.mict.go.th)
– Web board and telephone suppor
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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How Does It Work?
HouseKeeperDatabase
Report
Inappropriate Materials
Update
• Auto
Download
• Manual Entries
Verify
&Update DB
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Easy to Use Functions
Control
harmful contents
Limit time
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Get the Message Out
• Collaborate with Ministry of Education to
arrange awareness seminar at schools in
major regional provinces
• Demonstrate and distribute
“HouseKeeper” for free
• Provide telephone hotline for advice and technical assistance
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Online Safety Seminar
at schools nationwide:
•Bangkok
•Chiang Mai
•Ubon Ratchathani
•Surat Thani
•…
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Key Success FactorsManagement Buy-In
Stakeholders Participation
Media Publicity
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Successful Outcome
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Successful Outcome
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Congratulations!
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology
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Still a Work in Progress…
• Software upgrade to include Windows
Vista and future versions
• Hotline and technical support
• More online safety seminars to reach more
children