October 9, 2006

Each day over 25 million children log on to the Internet. Although the Internet can be a great educational tool for students, it has also introduced them to a new way of communicating with the world. Social networking sites, endless personal web logs, and an infinite number of chatrooms allow children and teens to meet others who share common interests in music, sports, and entertainment. Unfortunately, lurking in the shadows of these same sites and chatrooms are those who prey on our children with the intent of causing them harm.

A recent study conducted by the University of New Hampshire found that one in seven children received an online sexual solicitation and one in three children were exposed to sexually explicit material in 2005. These numbers are unacceptable. To better protect our Internet savvy children, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) developed NetSmartz, a fun and innovative Internet safety program that combines cutting edge technology with the safety messages of NCMEC.

Through NetSmartz, children and youth are taught invaluable safety information that helps them make safer decisions while online. NetSmartz provides children and teens with the necessary tools to safely navigate the Internet by using advanced technology, innovative animated characters, and powerful real-life stories. Through the website, www.NetSmartz.org, parents, educators, law enforcement, and community leaders have access to resources for learning and teaching children about the dangers they may face online.

NetSmartz provides a variety of resources to mayors and the communities in which they serve. Each city has access to free safety software, interactive presentations, and public service announcements as well as news articles and press releases that can be used to express their commitment to keeping kids safer online, most of which are also available in Spanish. NetSmartz will also provide mayors with a personalized plan designed to address the needs of their individual communities.

For more information on how you can bring NetSmartz to your city, contact Rachel Johnston at 703-837-6442 or visit www.NetSmartz.org.