Q&A: Interview with Mrs Leavitt
Updated: 2007-12-14 19:24
Moderator: We know that you are the chairperson of the I Keep Safe Coalition. At the beginning of this year, the Chinese government launched a campaign calling for healthy surfing of the Internet, especially targeting young people in China. We have the campaign because young people face the problem of Internet addiction. Does Internet addiction happen among American people as well?
Mrs Leavitt: Of course this is an issue. We share the same issues around the world. Some are more focused in one area of the world than another, but this is clearly one that parents are concerned about. That is why we addressed this book. Faux Paw the Technocat is our Internet mascot. We have a series of books for children. This is for elementary schools, so parents can start to communicate with their child about healthy use of the Internet.
Moderator: Can we read the book online?
Mrs Leavitt: This is not online yet. This is so new. We have other books on our website. This is so new that I was here doing an educational pilot program.
Moderator: May we also expect a Chinese version of this book as early as possible?
Mrs Leavitt: Yes, and the name is "Faux Paw goes to the Games: Balancing real life with screen time." So it really is focused on that issue, of healthy use, and setting time limits on the Internet use. Minister Xu’s daughter, Bing Xu, has translated it. She just completed the book in Chinese, and we are so pleased, because it takes place in Beijing.
Moderator: Have you ever heard of China Youth Net, which is a website targeting young people?
Mrs Leavitt: This week, I have heard about it, and I think that the messages that they would give would empower youth to use the Internet wisely.
Moderator: We have many programs, for example, webTV and web radio, to help young people out of Internet addiction. I wonder whether in this regard we can carry out cooperation in the long term.
Mrs Leavitt: I would hope so, and we can further dialogue about that, after we’ve had this communication. I would think that our goals would be similar because we give a positive message about the Internet. Because there are so many benefits, but we want children and teens to use it wisely.
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