Munster Tackle Internet Safety With Trend Micro

Munster Rugby are lining-out behind Trend Micro and tackling internet safety by supporting their 2015 "What’s Your Story?" video and poster competition.

The competition will award up to €;7,000 in prizes to young movie-makers and artists who share their learnings with those going online for the first time.

Now in its fourth year the “What’s Your Story?” competition encourages individual entrants and students from primary, and secondary schools to share their personal experiences addressing the theme: “Share something that could help someone going online for the first time?” All video and poster submissions will be judged on their ability to inspire, as well as how effectively entrants have promoted their entries via social media/word of mouth.

Avril Ronan, Global Program Manager for Internet Safety at Trend Micro EMEA, Cork said, “At Trend Micro we are experts when it comes to internet safety. We are passionate about youth empowerment and promoting a safe, responsible and successful online world. We are delighted to have the support of Munster Rugby again this year, this competition is a unique opportunity for young people to tell us how they can make the Internet a better place for themselves and everyone else”

“‘What’s Your Story?’ celebrates the savviness and creativity of the digital generation and encourages them to start and sustain a positive, online dialogue with their peers and with the world,” she added.

"Munster Rugby is happy to support the ‘What’s Your Story?’ competition, it is really important for young people to see that the internet is a great place to be, but like all playgrounds, they need to be aware of their own behaviour, and that of others," said Enda Lynch, Commercial and Marketing Manager with Munster Rugby.

In the last four years Trend Micro has reached over 65,000 parents, teachers and students in Ireland through their Internet Safety Workshops and programmes, and through the ‘What’s Your story?’ competition.

“The ‘What’s Your Story?’ competition gives young people the opportunity and the space to consider how their internet use affects them personally. Webwise is very proud to be associated with an initiative that encourages children to be creative and to express themselves freely on topics that are of great importance to them. In the context of ubiquitous internet access, it is vital that we implement strategies such as this that focus on empowerment, prioritising critical thinking and engagement,” said Simon Grehan, Project Coordinator, Webwise – Internet Safety Awareness Centre.

‘Whats Your Story?’ finalists will be reviewed by a panel of experts in the fields of Internet safety, media literacy, and technology. In addition to Trend Micro, this year’s judging panel includes representatives from Smart Futures, Twitter, Yahoo! Safely, Facebook, Discover Science Festival and Dr Brian O’Neill (EU Kids Online). The deadline for entries is 21 April, public viewing and rating ends 5 May with winners being announced week of May 18th 2015.

We’re really looking forward to seeing this year’s entries from schools and individuals across Ireland,” added Avril Ronan.

To learn more about the competition details, submit a video/poster, or see past winners, visit http://whatsyourstory.trendmicro.ie and follow on twitter @TrendISKF_IE #WhatsYourStory2015