Childnet launched the leaflet in June 2005 following real concerns about the easy availability of inappropriate, disturbing and often illegal content available for young people to download on these services. Whilst Childnet’s concerns were broader than those of the music industry, whose main focus was copyrighted movies and music, they were able to create a joint message to parents which gave them the complete picture.

The leaflet around which the campaign focuses, called - “Young People, Music and the Internet – a guide for parents about P2P, file-sharing and downloading”  provides parents with the essential facts about peer-to-peer, file-sharing and music downloading.  It explains what P2P services are, outlines the security, legal and content risks to children as well as the benefits.  It also gives practical advice on what is needed to help ensure that children’s enjoyment of music on the internet is safe and legal.

As a small charity, Childnet needed a partner with a large number of members and international associates who could help them get the media coverage and the international reach that we wanted. The IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry ), who represent artists, helped us distribute the leaflet in record stores, supermarkets, schools, libraries and on websites.

The leaflet was made available in Singapore, the US and the UK and has been translated into German, Italian, Spanish.  This year several more countries will follow suit by adopting and distributing the leaflet, including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden, South Africa. In total the leaflet will have reached 19 countries across the world.

The leaflet is free to download from the Childnet website and can be ordered in hard copy.  This campaign has been followed up with advice to young people written by young people on Childnet’s newly launched Sorted website.