The feedback received at numerous workshops, registered helpline enquiries and the European Commission’s emphasis on mobile phones have proved: dealing with mobile phone issues such as violent movies, bullying, expensive phone bills or mobile phone theft requires a special focus in terms of awareness work. Against this background Saferinternet.at launched the nationwide initiative Handywissen.at.

What does Handywissen.at offer?

On the web portal www.handywissen.at parents and teachers find an extensive collection of frequently asked questions concerning the topics of costs, health & environment, bullying, data protection, youth protection, photos, music & videos, mobile internet and emergencies. Parents find special tips about media education and teachers learn about didactical options to integrate mobiles in class.

On the sub site www.checkdeinhandy.at children can access a selection of tips, find contact information for help related to mobile phones and download the “Check dein Handy” ring tone.

Handywissen.at also offers a guidebook for parents with the most important tips for safe and inexpensive mobile phone use. It can be downloaded from the Handywissen.at website or ordered at office@handywissen.at for free. The guide is distributed across Austria through parent and family organisations.

Moreover, Handywissen.at operates the e-mail helpline beratung@handywissen.at and conducts workshops, lectures and school projects on a regular basis.

Planned activities for 2007 are a teachers’ handbook and a mobile phone movie competition for children and youths.

Beside the support of the European Commission, the project is carried out in co-operation with the Austrian Federal Chancellery, the Federal Ministry for Social Security, Generations and Consumer Protection, the largest Austrian mobile network operator mobilkom Austria and NGOs.

Bernhard Jungwirth, Saferinternet.at