Motion Picture Group Bolsters Online Safety Efforts

WASHINGTON, September 29, 2010 - The Family Online Safety Institute has announced that the Motion Picture Association of America has become its newest member.

Other FOSI members include AT&T, Blue Coat Systems, BT Retail, Comcast, Entertainment Software Association, Facebook, France Telecom, Google, Microsoft, MySpace, NCTA, Ning, Nominum, Sprint, StreamShield, Symantec, Time Warner Cable, Telefónica, TELMEX, T-Mobile, Verizon and Yahoo.

The MPAA plans to support FOSI by promoting its guidelines for advertising content on the internet, investigating solutions for online child safety and helping educate children and families on digital citizenship. Orit Michiel, vice president and domestic counsel, will serve on FOSI'S board of directors as the MPAA representative.

"The MPAA has made great strides in providing parents with information to help their kids avoid dangers in the online environment," said Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI. "As FOSI continues to promote internet safety responsibility and digital citizenship among kids and their families, we know that the MPAA will be an invaluable partner in our mission."

The Family Online Safety Institute works to make the online world safer for kids and their families by identifying and promoting best practices, tools and methods that also respect free speech.