Telstra launches social network for kids

The community is aimed at children between six and 12, and is accessible only to students and teachers at Australian primary schools.

Similar to Facebook, MySpace and Bebo, children will be able to communicate with one another, join online projects and build an online profile.

Cyber safety advocate and project leader Dr Martyn Wild said that SuperClubsPLUS was a fully protected online community for primary school children.

"SuperClubsPLUS Australia provides an online voice for six to 12 year olds and has been optimised for Australian children as well as their teachers. This includes having Australian mediators that protect and encourage children in real time.”

Telstra Foundation Director Matt Pfahlert said that SuperClubsPLUS is a 'safe alternative' to communities such as MySpace.

"Access to the site is only possible through schools, which ensures that the community is only made up of children it was designed for. And the mediation helps teach the children online safety and etiquette," Pfahlert said.

"Increasingly parents and the wider community are becoming aware of issues such as cyber-bullying and harassment and identity theft which place the safety and well-being of children and young people at risk.

"SuperClubsPLUS Australia is a fantastic initiative as it takes out the risk factor completely and ensures children are safe, and all their interaction is monitored when they go online," Pfahlert said.

SuperClubsPLUS was originally launched in the United Kingdom, and is currently being rolled out to Australian primary schools. The Telstra Foundation has provided $1 million for the roll out, as part of its $3 million focus on cyber safety.