O2 launches internet safety book

03 March 2009

Rufus Leonard today announced the publication of ‘who wnts 2 no?’, a children’s story on internet safety provided by O2 in conjunction with Childnet International.  The book for 8-12 year olds was jointly written by best-selling children’s authors Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore. It will be published on 5th March though schools and libraries have been quick to pre-order the free book. 

Initially 50,000 were to be printed however the print run has been increased by a further 100,000 due to internet orders.  Schools and Libraries have ordered free copies, plus promotional posters and stickers, at www.o2.com/thecybernuts.

Rufus Leonard has been working with O2 for seven years across various brand and digital projects.  O2 briefed Rufus Leonard to come up with a book on internet safety for children and ‘who wnts 2 no?’ was born.

The story is about 3 school friends Dud, Zip and Mouse, together known as the Cybernuts. Dud thinks he has found a foolproof way of getting rich quick by giving away his personal details online. Zip and Mouse aren’t convinced. The book has been written to inspire children to read for enjoyment but also contains a more serious message that whilst the online world can bring benefits children can be at risk from unwanted contact, inappropriate behaviour and potentially harmful content.

Steve Barlow one of the book’s authors said “We had a brief to alert kids to the need to use the internet and mobile phones safely, but we didn’t want to be preachy or doom-laden: we also wanted to write a good story which would be fun to read. We hope, with the excellent illustrations of the inestimable Geo Parkin, that we’ve managed to achieve all that.”

Mike Short, Vice President at O2 and an Executive Board member of the UK Council on Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) said, “The internet is an integral part of everyday life for most young people with countless benefits including entertaining ways to communicate and learn as well as creating, consuming and sharing content. But as with all technology there are those who mis-use it. Children should be able to experience the benefits but be alert to the risks and know how to protect themselves online. This book supports our other Mobile Internet initiatives to help illustrate to parents and children the benefits of online technology and mobile access to the web whilst staying safe from inappropriate contact or content.” 

To help support ‘who wnts 2 no?’ Rufus Leonard has produced a website visited in the book, www.wearegonnamakeyourich.com which features another of the book’s interesting characters, Lord Skullsplitter of the Vhrrrlx and a blog written by the book’s characters Dud, Zip and Mouse found at www.thecybernuts.com.

Rufus Leonard has also produced the website where schools and libraries can order the book, www.o2.com/thecybernuts, as well as various promotional materials such as posters and stickers. They have even produced an alien character costume to be worn by the authors on their tour of UK schools.

Rufus Leonard are also currently doing a refresh of the O2 guide for parents about mobile and  Internet safety, copies of which will also be available from the book launch date.