Netsafe launches Hector's World to boost online safety for children

In a bid to proactively safeguard children in the cyberspace, Netsafe has launched a bilingual safety learning series called Hector's World. The engaging series, crafted to cater to children's safety online, has been expertly refined for children aged 5-10, as well as their teachers, parents and caregivers.

Hector’s World will specifically focus on key cyber safety topics such as cyberbullying, privacy, digital footprint and balancing online and offline time. Notably, the series is available in English and Te Reo Māori. It exhibits a compelling blend of educational content and entertaining animated scenarios aimed at guiding children safely through the digital world.

The inaugural set of three episodes is now available for viewing nationwide, intent on cultivating informed and responsible digital citizens armed with the necessary knowledge to safely navigate their online environments. The series will follow a weekly release schedule in May, with these episodes available on the Hector's World website and on a dedicated YouTube channel. The official launch of the program took place at Auckland's SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton's Aquarium, giving local school children an exciting opportunity to meet the main character, Hector.

Brent Carey, CEO of Netsafe, stressed the value of Hector's World as an instrumental educational tool in present times, where children begin interaction with digital platforms from a tender age. "The programme's significance becomes apparent when you consider these facts: our research shows that 43% of parents do not actively monitor their child's online activities and that 9 to 11-year-olds are unsure about what kind of information should or shouldn't be shared online. Hector's World will serve as a much-needed facility to acquaint kids with safe digital practices," said Carey.

Adding to the discussion of online safety, Danielle Vandendungen, Digital Security Engagement Advisor at the Ministry of Education, praised the balance of education and entertainment the programme achieves, thus making the learning process more engaging for the young minds. Reflecting her sentiments, Madeline Shepherd, Microsoft's Digital Safety Lead Asia Pacific, hailed the series as an invaluable asset that will make online safety education more accessible.

The core substance of Hector's World is the series of seven episodes and over 60 purpose-built resources and activities that accompany them. These include curriculum-aligned resources for classroom use and resources to help parents and caregivers reinforce the programme's principles at home. These resources offer conversation guides and top tips to assist these discussions. Hector’s adventures with his marine friends in the series promise to promote safe internet practices while keeping the learning journey enjoyable.

The combination of animation and homegrown voiceover talent creates a relatable environment that reflects the diverse culture of New Zealand. Derived from Netsafe's original Hector’s World series that attracted over a million global viewers 15 years ago, the upgraded version aims to make a similar impact on the digital citizenship of the New Zealand youth.