Posted: March 10, 2008 11:52 AM
State school superintendent Suellen Reed launched the campaign Monday morning
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Internet safety is a subject that concerned local students so much they produced a series of public service announcements you’ll be seeing on television soon.
State school superintendent Suellen Reed launched the campaign Monday morning. She congratulated the student-led non-profit foundation called “Net Literacy” for its work.
Ten PSAs featuring local students will educate kids about everything from cyber bullying and Internet predators to viruses and hate Web sites.
“A lot of students are putting too much personal, way too much personal information and that’s how you get a lot of predators knocking at our door. It’s cool to you know, reunite with friends but just keep it on a friend, business level. You don’t need to put like crazy pictures or anything on there,” said Sean Pettigrew, Arlington High School.
Decatur Central student Ian Trusedell says that over a quarter of young teens have talked about sex to a stranger they met on the Internet.
Trusedell says someone recently created a MySpace page about him that included his picture and personal information.
“He felt violated. He really felt like, ‘Well what did I do? How could I make this better’,” said Jean Trusedell, Ian’s mother.
The incident committed Ian to helping other kids learn about Internet safety through this campaign.
Bright House Networks and Intel are sponsoring the $100,000 campaign. Along with the PSAs, the students are producing several 45-minute Internet safety programs for schools to use.
By: Leslie Olsen
WISH-TV
