Intel Launches PC Parents(SM) Program

Comes to Aid of Digitally-Distressed Parents

SANTA CLARA, Sept. 30, 1999 -- How do you guide your kids on the computer when they know more about technology than you do? Parents lament their kids are way ahead of them on the PC. According to a Guardianet poll, 70 percent of parents believe their kids know more about the computer than they do.

A new program from Intel is being launched to shrink the "technology gap." The innovative PC Parents^SM program features a menu of options for parents to catch up to their kids regarding computing and the Internet. The new effort is based on the successful Intel PC Dads^SM Program which, for the past four years, featured Intel's Mark Ivey and Ralph Bond conducting home PC and Internet basics workshops for parents throughout North America. The PC Parents program carries forward the goal of the PC Dads to help non-technical parents catch up with their cyber-hip kids.

The PC Parents Program is led by "PC Parents" Mark Ivey and Elizabeth "EK" Kemper, family computing experts at Intel. They focus on what parents really want to know--not how to reformat a hard-drive but how to use a computer to help a child learn to read; not how to manage your computer's memory, but how to choose non-violent computer games for kids.

Using plain English, they tackle common computer-related subjects, such as using home computers to teach critical thinking skills. The national outreach program gives parents fast and easy ways to learn about family computing, whether it's how to plan the family vacation on the Internet or how to protect kids online.

"The computer can bring a world of information into the home, when used correctly," says Mark. "With technology changing faster than my child's shoe size, it's important for parents to have an easy place to get information and get their questions answered," explains EK.

The PC Parents Program
The PC Parents Program features five educational components for parents, with Mark and EK serving as the program's guides and "personalities." In addition, Mark and EK appear frequently on radio and television (such as CNN) dispensing family computing guidance. The national outreach program includes:

• Free workshops for local communities
• Nationally-syndicated newspaper column through Tribune Media Services
• Weekly family computing tips, online chat and postings on iVillage's Click! channel
• PC Parents website and toll-free information line
• Planned book series

The PC Parents Volunteer Program
At the local level, Mark and EK train and certify Intel employees to run family-computing workshops. The free workshops are held at schools, PTA meetings and other community-based organizations. The first Volunteer Programs are being launched in Phoenix, Ariz.; Sacramento, Calif.; and Albuquerque, N.M. Intel plans to establish three more in the United States, as well as two in Asia and Europe, starting in 2000.

The PC Parents Nationally-Syndicated Column
Mark and EK write the "PC Parents™ Column" circulated by Tribune Media Services. Launched in September, the column has already been picked up by five newspapers, including the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Rocky Mountain News.

iVillage. Com
Parents can get computing questions answered without leaving home by visiting http://www.iVillage.com/pcparents. They can post queries on the Family Computing Bulletin Board, or participate in online weekly chats on Tuesdays, 3 p.m. EST.

Out of questions, but still looking for fresh ideas? Parents can log onto the iVillage Click! Channel to retrieve the PC Parents' weekly column. The column provides tips to make family life easier using technology. Mark and EK explain everything from planning a virtual vacation to reviewing the latest family software.

The PC Parents Website and Toll-Free Number
Parents can log onto the PC Parents web site at www.PCParents.com where they'll find program information, a calendar of workshops, and links to the iVillage and Tribune Media Services columns. They can also call toll free for family computing tips: (877) 272-3237.

Planned Book Series
The PC Parents are also working on a series of family computing books using humor and plain English to show how to use technology in the home. Planned topics range from finding educational resources on the web to learning the latest methods to protect your kids online. The book series will follow up on the success of Mark's first book, The PC Dads Guide to Becoming a Computer-Smart Parent (Dell, 1999), which he co-authored with colleague Ralph Bond.

The PC Parents Program addresses the many skills parents need as they grow into their roles as 'digital parents.' "That means practicing shoulder-to-shoulder parenting, whether it's finding homework help sites or explaining to your kids why chat rooms aren't always safe," explains EK. Adds Mark, "We're concerned parents may be unsure about not only some of the dangers out there, but also the opportunities they're missing. At some point, parents need to turn the computer off and tell their kids to go outside and play."

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