Disney has teamed with Common Sense Media to help kids and tweens safely navigate the internet and other digital platforms and to get parents thinking about how media and technology fit into their family’s life. The initiative includes a PSA and website which feature the characters from Disney’s animated series “Phineas and Ferb” and supports Common Sense Media’s “Rules of the Road” for smart and safe use of digital media. The tips include guarding privacy and protecting one’s identity while online, balancing time spent in cyberspace and thinking before texting or posting material online.
“We have a tremendous opportunity to deliver information to kids about online safety – using their favorite characters as spokespeople. Simultaneously, the tools we’re providing – the PSA and the website – also serve as useful conversation starters for parents.”
The PSA will premiere 1/27 (8:00 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel and Disney XD and will air in daily rotation on both channels. The companion website created by Disney Online, www.disney.com/commonsense, includes the PSA and a guide for parents to teach responsible online behavior. The website invites kids to test their parents’ familiarity with the Rules of the Road and leads to additional information on internet and digital platform safety for both kids and parents.
This week in Washington, D.C., Common Sense Media will showcase the PSA at the 6th Annual State of the Net Conference, a widely attended event hosted by the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee (ICAC), a private sector organization comprising public interest groups, trade associations, nonprofits and industry leaders.
Gary Marsh, president, Entertainment and Chief Creative Officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said: “We have a tremendous opportunity to deliver information to kids about online safety – using their favorite characters as spokespeople. Simultaneously, the tools we’re providing – the PSA and the website – also serve as useful conversation starters for parents.” He continued, “Beyond these immediate tools, we’re committed to encouraging the writers of our series and movies to include the subject matter in their scripts, and to support the Rules of the Road messaging through positive role modeling in our programs.”
Created and executive-produced by Dan Povenmire and Jeff “Swampy” Marsh, the series is a production of Disney Television Animation. The voice cast include: Vincent Martella, Thomas Sangster, Ashley Tisdale, Mitchel Musso, Caroline Rhea, Richard O’Brien, Dee Bradley Baker and Alyson Stoner.
