Mobile Device Safety Training Provided for Families as part of Believe New York

Following the successful launch of ScreenReady^SM, a first-of-its-kind online safety program in its New York City stores, AT&T* and the YMCA of Greater New York have continued their collaboration to bring the program to parents across the five boroughs. Today, AT&T offered hands-on training to parents at YMCA branches throughout New York City in celebration of Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families.

AT&T representatives volunteered their time on Saturday to help families learn tips to navigate safety settings, including parental controls and content filters on their phones and tablets at YMCA locations in Staten Island (Broadway YMCA), Brooklyn (Bedford-Stuyvesant YMCA), Manhattan (Harlem YMCA), Queens (Flushing YMCA) and the Bronx (Castle Hill YMCA).

“All parents want their children to be safe, happy and healthy. AT&T is committed to helping families navigate the complex digital world so that our kids develop healthy online habits at an early age,” said Marissa Shorenstein, President, Northern Region, AT&T. “Thank you to our friends at the YMCA and all of our devoted team members who volunteered their time to bring these resources directly to our communities today.”

“It’s the YMCA’s top priority to keep kids safe and encourage healthy habits,” said Sharon Greenberger, President and CEO, New York City’s YMCA. “Healthy Kids Day is a way for us to engage families across our communities to get active in healthy, safe, and fun ways. Providing a resource like ScreenReady to families will help them learn and develop heathy and safe habits when exploring the online world. We are humbled and grateful for AT&T’s continuing collaboration and support of our work.”

ScreenReady was created following a study that found children and teens are spending more time than ever online and on their mobile devices – and engaging in risky behaviors without their parents’ knowledge. In response, the program aims to bridge the gap by providing parents and caregivers with the confidence and know-how to engage their children in an ongoing conversation about their device and media use, and that starts with mastering the device itself.

The ScreenReady program is part of Believe New York^SM, an extension of AT&T Believes^SM, a larger company-wide initiative, which aims to create positive change in local communities.