Students launch $100,000 Internet safety campaign
Written by Staff, on 03-12-2008 10:00
Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed joined Net Literacy, an Indiana-based, student-led nonprofit, to launch a $100,000 campaign to increase Internet safety for students and families across the state this week. The campaign includes student-led programs held in local schools and a series of public service announcements to be aired on television statewide beginning this month.
“The Internet is a wonderful educational resource for our students, but we all need to be more aware of the dangers that come with it,” said Reed. “This student-led campaign will help to increase Internet safety for students and families across Indiana.”
The $100,000 campaign titled “The 10 Most Important Things To Know About The Internet” is sponsored by Bright House Networks and includes student-generated public service announcements addressing everything from cyber bullies and Internet predators to viruses and hate Web sites.
Through Safe Connects, one of Net Literacy’s core programs, students will teach classmates and parents in their communities about Internet safety in meetings after school in locations across the state. As part of the expansion of Safe Connects, four 45-minute Internet safety programs, sponsored by Intel, will also be produced and broadcasted on local government channels and will be available on cable providers’ local on demand service for Hoosiers across the state.
“Many students and adults are not aware of all of the dangers on the Internet,” says Ian Truesdell, a high school senior on Net Literacy’s board of directors who leads the Safe Connects initiative. “It’s important that Internet users know that one out of every 10 Web sites contains malware, hate Web sites or use a combination of truth and lies to spread hate, and that using MySpace or Facebook inappropriately could cost someone their job in the future.”
Net Literacy is a student-managed nonprofit that promotes youth philanthropy through a series of community outreach programs. The company’s mission is to increase computer access by creating public computer labs, teach computer and Internet skills, and educate youth and parents about Internet safety.
