June is widely known as National Internet Safety Month but Congress has yet to pass a resolution recognizing that fact. In 2008, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, introduced a measure in May and it passed the chamber within days. The year before, her resolution was approved by unanimous consent on the same day it was introduced. Reps. Gene Green, D-Texas, and Melissa Bean, D-Ill., introduced similar resolutions in the House in 2007 and Bean's bill passed under suspension of the rules 12 days into the month aimed at protecting kids online. Last Congress, the House approved a measure giving a nod to Internet Safety Month and the FTC's OnGuard Online program -- in July.
This year, Green was early to act by introducing a resolution in January that points out, among other things, that 77 million children have Internet access; one in five youth who use the Internet regularly have reported receiving a sexual approach or solicitation in the past year; and one in 17 youth reported being threatened or harassed online in the past year. Only a fraction of all unwanted Web encounters were reported to authorities such as the police, an Internet service provider, or a hotline, the resolution stated. Green's bill has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Off of Capitol Hill, Internet advocacy groups offered statements Monday in support of Web awareness. Family Online Safety Institute CEO Stephen Balkam and FOSI Chairman Brent Olson, assistant vice president for regulatory policy at AT&T, urged government, law enforcement, industry, teachers, parents and children themselves to build a culture of Internet responsibility. "With the Internet playing a vital role in the lives of many teens and tweens these days, it has become especially important to teach them to make wise choices online," Balkam said. Olson said he looked forward to using Internet Safety Month to reach a broader audience to encourage online awareness and education. June is also Adopt-A-Shelter Cat Month, Dairy Month, Great Outdoors Month, and Turkey Lovers Month.
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Responded on November 19, 2009 2:14 PM
Jade
A big part of internet safety is online bullying which really needs to be dealt with and is as big a problem as online threats from other sources. If children and teens are to use the internet safely a lot needs to be done before this can be achieved.
Jade Beadstalk
Responded on November 19, 2009 2:13 PM
Jade
A big part of internet safety is online bullying which really needs to be dealt with and is as big a problem as online threats from other sources. If children and teens are to use the internet safely a lot needs to be done before this can be achieved.
Jade Beadstalk
Responded on October 4, 2009 3:28 AM
Claudia
I think internet safety is vital. Hopefully we can get these things under control. I have a Timberland Stiefel
website and security is very mportant to me. I think that this can make or break your online business. The key is to stay up to date with the current spammer operations.
Responded on October 1, 2009 10:28 PM
Stanley
I am a firm believer if you are careless these things can happen to you. I know many people are trapped by hackers and theives but many are careless. You have to pay attention to what you are doing and know what to do if something bad happends.
platzreife
Responded on September 30, 2009 8:41 PM
Amanda
Yes I agree that there are many people that are trying to cheat you or hurt you. But you have to consider that the majority of these users out there mean no harm and are good people. I own a Kids Party Games website that I constantly have to update security so people dont hack into my website. Its actually really sad.
Responded on September 30, 2009 8:37 PM
Kids Party Games
I think the internet is constantly getting harder to stay safe. There are many people that will try to cheat you and steal your identity. Im glad we are working hard to protect ourselves. I would suggest getting a service like lifelock or other similar ones to be extra safe.
Responded on September 13, 2009 2:20 PM
Neslon Miller
I think internet safety is an very important issue to address. I sell beach umbrellas online and I have had many people try to hack into my system and do damage. Im sure there are countless others out there that have had there identies stolen on something along those lines. Its time we come up with something so people can protect themselves.
Responded on August 6, 2009 6:00 AM
Brad
Internet has penetrated our lives in many interesting ways and I support the move to raise awareness about internet safety. For readers who partake in online dating should be cautious about meeting singles from a dating website. Meet in public and let a friend know about where you are going. Here are some rules to keep in mind.