Microsoft, in collaboration with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, has made available a "child-friendly" version of its Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) browser.
The release, dubbed Internet Explorer 8 Click Clever Click Safe, is available to download at clickceop.net/ie8 and offers children and families one-click access to tools that allow easy access to advice on topics such as cyberbullying and viruses, as well as the ability to report inappropriate websites.
Microsoft spokesperson Matthew Bishop has described the release as being "designed with the sole purpose of providing young people and parents with easy ways of finding information on how to stay safer online."
"As more and more young people are learning, playing and communicating online, it is vital we provide the appropriate safety information as we know this is one of the most effective ways of helping to protect people."
Suggesting that similar child-friendly features could appear in other browsers, CEO of CEOP Jim Gamble applauded Microsoft for its efforts and adds that "[we] look forward to working with other browser developers to make an even safer online environment for our children".
In addition to the web slice that allows one-click access to advice, help and reporting tools, the IE8 Click Clever Click Safe browser offers the ability to search the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre website directly from the search bar. Links to popular Internet-safety websites are also included in the Favourites bar. Existing users of IE8 can also take advantage of the new tools via add-ons available from clickceop.net/ie8.
In recent weeks, Internet Explorer 8 has become the world's most popular browser and the Click Clever Click Safe release arrives on European Safer Internet Day (SID), an annual event organised to "promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones".
