New Web safety institute unveiled

The people behind the 7-year-old Internet Content Rating Association, a nonprofit aimed at labeling adult Web sites, have launched a new institute to promote kids safety on the Web.

Called the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), the group said Tuesday that it will broaden its work from the ICRA rating system to include the development and support of other kid-safe technologies, educational programs and public policy work.

"Every day, there's a story about how people are finding new ways to access pornography and other inappropriate content on the Internet," FOSI Chief Stephen Balkam said in a statement. "We need new tools and methods to reach parents and children alike with a new safety awareness. The Institute will bring together the leading thinkers, innovative technologies, effective educators and enlightened legislators to make this a reality."

FOSI plans to launch its European arm on February 22 in London. Members of FOSI include AOL, AT&T, British Telecom, Microsoft and Verizon.