"The Internet provides our young people exciting, ever-expanding opportunities for learning and communicating, but online dangers are also growing and evolving," said McCollum. "I greatly appreciate the support of Florida's education community to bring this message to our children and their parents. Their partnership is vital in our effort to reach every middle and high school student in Florida."
McCollum was joined by Dr. Wayne Blanton, Executive Director of the Florida School Boards Association and Jim Warford, Executive Director of the Florida Association of School Administrators, who announced the endorsement of the Attorney General's CyberSafety Educational Program by their organizations.
"The safety of our students is first and foremost in the minds of all school personnel," said Blanton. "The Attorney General's program goes a long way in making our students safer both in and out of the school setting."
The Florida School Boards Association, Inc. (FSBA) is a nonprofit corporation representing all school board members in Florida. FSBA has been the collective voice for Florida school districts since 1930 and is closely allied with other educational and community agencies to work toward improvement of education in Florida.
"On behalf of Florida's school Principals, I want to thank Attorney General McCollum for providing schools the resources they need to help protect our students from this growing threat," said Warford.
Members of the Attorney General's Child Predator CyberCrime Unit have been bringing the 50-minute cybersafety program to middle and high school students statewide since the beginning of this school year. The program specifically targets middle and high school students to educate them about personal Internet safety. During the presentations students receive information about the dangers, risks, and tactics used today by online predators. They also learn what constitutes a cybercrime and how to report it. An open line of communication between the students and the victim advocates is strongly encouraged to give the opportunity for private disclosure. Students are also taught how to recognize when a friend is in "cyber danger" and what they can do to help. The victim advocates offer referral resources and counseling to any child who discloses victimization and steps are then taken when law enforcement is able to investigate an offense.
