"The Internet is part of our daily lives, and children can spend hours each day on the Web learning and exploring. This program will help prepare our children to avoid potential dangers as they use chat rooms, instant messages, and conduct research online," said Blagojevich.
The NetSmartz Workshop was developed by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Boys & Girls Clubs of America and uses 3-D animation, music, and interactive games paired with dynamic activity cards to teach kids about online dangers and how to avoid them.
The workshops began in October and will continue throughout the year in schools and community organizations around the state. Thursday, Illinois State Police officers trained students at Morton Junior High School in Central Illinois.
"Inappropriate use of the Internet can expose our children to significant dangers. The Illinois State Police is proud to offer NetSmartz Workshop training to parents, teachers, and non-profit organizations," said Illinois State Police Director Larry G. Trent. "Through increased education, we can help to ensure our children's safety each time they go online."
Governor Blagojevich's effort to fight Internet crime has four main components:
- Creating a centralized Internet Crimes Unit (ICU) under Illinois State Police authority
- Increasing penalties of Internet crime
- Maintaining an ICU Web site to serve as a "One-Stop-Shopping" center where the public can report suspicious online behavior and get information about Internet crime and safety
- Using the most advanced law enforcement technology available
