Launch of upgraded 'dotU' Internet website for young people

11/3/98

Young Western Australians can now tap into a whole fountain of information, ideas and graphics by surfing an Internet website specifically designed for youth.

Launching the newlook website today, Youth Minister Mike Board said dotU had been revamped to make it more fun and even easier for young people to access, find out information and, most importantly, to be able to relate to.

"The dotU website has been significantly restyled and upgraded since it went online as a pilot website in late 1996," Mr Board said.

"Our graphic designs have since been improved, information added and updated and dotU now has a new domain address with a feedback database and a database for frequently asked questions by young people.

"It has also got an events calendar so young people can see what is on at any given time."

Mr Board said the dotU website presented useful information on a whole range of topics which young people could easily understand.

"All the information is simple; it is in language easily understood by young people and that is the way they like it," he said.

"The dotU website averages about 20,000 hits each month, representing a total of more than 320,000 hits since it came online as a pilot website in November 1996.

"This is a fantastic response and just goes to prove that we have to move with the times and work in with computer technology to get our messages and information across to young people."

Mr Board said many Government and non-Government agencies had already identified the benefits of providing information for the dotU website and he urged other interested parties not yet listed to take advantage of its large youth audience.

Government agencies already providing information on dotU included Aboriginal affairs, arts, environment, education, family and children's services, health, justice, sport and recreation, police, community services, employment and training and youth.

Many other community organisations are also hot-linked to the website, including the Office of Youth Affairs' homepage and links to the JOY 98 site.

Mr Board said the dotU site was still in its infancy and he invited parties interested in providing useful information relating to young people to contact the Office of Youth Affairs.

The dotU website can be found at http://www.dotu.youthaffairs.wa.gov.au

Media contacts: Peter Harris, Minister's office, (08) 9222 9211

Jan Watt, Office of Youth Affairs, (08) 9476 2000