Northern Beaches Council has become the first local government in Australia to provide certified child-friendly Wi-Fi across its public hotspots.

Mayor Michael Regan said more than 500 people use Council’s free Wi-Fi each day after it was recently introduced.

Popular venues include Manly Corso, Avalon Community Centre, Seaforth Community Centre and Shops, Narrabeen Tramshed and the Freshwater Library.

“Families can feel reassured when they are accessing freely provided public Wi-Fi across the Northern Beaches, their children will be safe from online pornography and child exploitation content,’’ Mayor Regan said.

“Council was happy to support this initiative, it was done with the community in mind.”

Child-friendly Wi-Fi certification was pioneered in the UK and is a growing global initiative to provide consistent safety standards across all public Wi-Fi.

This is particularly relevant in areas where children frequent, such as beaches, libraries, shopping centres and family entertainment venues.

“In the digital world we live in today, online safety is paramount,’’ Mayor Regan said.

“Having child friendly public internet has worked well overseas, now it is our turn on the Northern Beaches.”

Media Enquires: media@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au (02) 9942 2678 or email Tamara@echildhood.org