"We want to remind people that Internet safety is an issue year-round and that precautionary measures must be taken before students truly become cyber savvy," Schroeder said. "Children and teens are smart, but they can also be naive."
These statistics reveal that 73% of students say there is a need for Internet safety education.
"Awareness is a constant battle and this is a huge step in bringing Internet safety education out of the shadows and shining the spotlight on this important issue," said Braden Lay, i-SAFE director of Government Affairs. "We're very appreciative of Congress' efforts."
i-SAFE has worked with educators, law enforcement and community members to bring their revolutionary program to over 800,000 students in all 50 states to date.
i-SAFE offers simple safety tips for parents and students on their Web site.
"These tips may sound simple, but as stories surface daily about yet another Internet predator trolling the Web for their next victim, it becomes increasingly important to review them," Teri Schroeder, CEO of i-SAFE said. "Post them next to the family computer. Hang them on the refrigerator or another heavy-traffic spot in the house, but make sure everyone in the family knows them and follows them."
Last week, the University of California San Diego hosted a daylong educational event to give teens the tools to stay safe in cyberspace and turn participants into ambassadors who can share their knowledge with others.
An earlier statement issued by i-SAFE noted that teens see the Internet as a social enabler and therefore approach online interactions with fewer defenses which leave them open to viruses, hackers, spyware, phishing, child predators and other potential online threats. However, "with the right knowledge and awareness, they have the potential to be a huge part of the solution when it comes to making the Internet safer," Susan Koehler, senior director of consumer safety at Microsoft, co-sponsor of the Youth Online Safety Summit, said.
About i-SAFE America
Founded in 1998 and active in all 50 states, i-SAFE America Inc. is the leader in Internet safety education. i-SAFE is a non-profit foundation whose mission is to educate and empower youth to make their Internet experiences safe and responsible. The goal is to educate students on how to avoid dangerous, inappropriate, or unlawful online behavior. i-SAFE accomplishes this through dynamic K-12 curriculum and community outreach programs to parents, law enforcement, and community leaders. It is the only Internet safety foundation to combine these elements.
