Nov. 5, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As part of its continuing efforts to help keep families safe on the Internet, AT&T* today participated in the Family Online Safety Institute's (FOSI) third annual conference, Building a Culture of Responsibility: From Online Safety to Digital Citizenship. AT&T, an active member of FOSI, was represented on two important panels and nominated Marsali Hancock, president of iKeepSafe, for the FOSI Award for Outstanding Achievement.

The FOSI annual conference focused on a global need for increased digital citizenship and responsibility online. AT&T was well-represented at the conference and participated in key panels that took a look at some of today's important online safety issues. Dorothy Attwood, senior vice president of Public Policy and Chief Privacy Officer for AT&T, spoke on a panel titled "Focus on Broadband Stimulus Funding & Responsibility". Additionally Andrea Brands, AT&T Director of Public Affairs, moderated a panel that discussed how aging adults are using the web.

At the FOSI Award Ceremony on Wednesday, November 4, AT&T's nominee for the FOSI Award was Marsali Hancock for her continued educational efforts and programs to teach kids and teens how to make smart choices online.

"AT&T is dedicated to promoting online safety awareness and education and providing our customers with the necessary tools to be safe and responsible digital citizens," said Attwood. "The government's current efforts to promote broadband adoption and deployment present a unique and critical opportunity for a new national focus on enhancing online safety and media literacy. FOSI's Annual Conference is a great place to engage in dialogue, exchange ideas and learn about the latest issues in online safety and digital literacy with other key stakeholders, policymakers and leading experts."

"Through our various programs, AT&T has seen an increased demand for tips on cell phone usage and social networking safety from a group that is often overlooked - seniors," said Brands. "AT&T has held over 80 cell phone coaching classes in roughly 67 cities in addition to the Mature Adults Connected Initiative that has taught more than 7,000 mature adults tips on social networking sites and how to surf the web safely.