15 March 2006
Governor Sebelius and Judge Sebelius Join Coalition to Protect Children from Internet Predators and Unveil www.iKeepSafe.org
Studies Show One in Five Children Using the Internet Receives an Online Sexual Solicitation; 84% rise in formal complaints that predators enticed minors online or traveled to meet them in person
WICHITA, Kan. – Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Judge Gary Sebelius joined the Internet Keep Safe Coalition today to launch a campaign to protect Kansas’ children from online predators. The campaign encourages children to follow three key rules of Internet safety: KEEP. DON’T MEET. TELL.SM
Joining the governor and judge at today’s event were education and law enforcement officials at Colvin Elementary School, where Governor Sebelius and Judge Sebelius read a new children’s book: Faux Paw the Techno Cat: Adventures in the Internet to a classroom of children.
“The Internet is a powerful tool children use for both learning and fun. But as with any tool, we must teach them to use it safely,” said Governor Sebelius. “Last year, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency prevention saw an 84 % rise in formal complaints about predators enticing minors online or traveling to meet them in person. This is a real threat, which is why we must teach children how to be safe online.”
Judge Sebelius said, “I was privileged to participate in the national kickoff of this project to protect children in February of last year with my fellow first spouses. It’s great we now have Faux Paw in Kansas as another way to keep our kids safe.”
The campaign created and sponsored by the Internet Keep Safe Coalition or iKeepSafe, uses a Web site (iKeepSafe.org), children’s books and educational materials to emphasize three simple tips for children to stay safe online:
- KEEP your personal information protected. Never give anyone online your real name, address, phone number, the name of your school or a picture of yourself.
- DON’T MEET in person with anyone you’ve met on the Net.
- TELL a parent or trusted adult if you see anything on the computer that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Jacalyn Leavitt, Coalition chair and wife of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt, added, “This unprecedented coalition of people and organizations wants to protect children from the epidemic of Internet predators that has flooded the world in the last five years. Many parents don’t realize the threat that lurks in their own family room.”
Recent studies show that 42% of online kids have their personal information posted on the web (Polly Klaas Foundation, 2006). “Every one of those kids is living with a huge risk,” Leavitt continued. “One in five children receives an online sexual solicitation each year, and 30% report that they have talked with a cyber-stranger about meeting in person. These appalling numbers show us just how real the threat is. The Coalition’s goal is to reduce these statistics by ensuring that children understand and practice safe online behavior.”
At today’s event, Governor Sebelius and Judge Sebelius introduced the Coalition’s Internet safety icon, Faux Paw the Techno CatTM, and a comprehensive package of educational resources for children, parents and educators, including:
- Faux PawTM Costume Character: A cyber-agent for the Internet age, Faux Paw the Techno CatTM is the new partner of McGruff the Crime Dog® and together they are “Taking a Byte out of Internet Crime.” Faux Paw will visit schools across the country to give kids Internet safety instructions.
- Faux Paw the Techno Cat: Adventures in the Internet: A new picture book and award-winning animated short film tells the story of the a curious cat (Faux Paw) who gets into trouble when she agrees to meet a “friend” found in a chat room. The book and animated story are available for viewing online and hard copies may be ordered through the Web site.
- iKeepSafe.orgSM: This new Web site offers a virtual playground of material promoting Internet safety. Parents and children can watch the Faux PawTM animated story, read the book, play games and learn Internet safety tips from Faux Paw. The Web site also offers resource materials for parents and educators, including child-friendly safety quizzes, worksheets, PowerPoint presentations, and coloring book printouts.
- Faux Paw Meets the First Lady: Handling Cyberbullying: A new picture storybook and animated DVD featuring First Lady Laura Bush shows children how to handle cyber-bullying as it reinforces the basic rules of Internet safety. In this story Faux Paw goes to Washington, D.C. to visit Cousin Ernie. When they get into trouble on the Internet, the First Lady saves the day. Mrs. Bush recorded the part of the First Lady in the animation.
The Coalition is a broad partnership of governors and first spouses, law enforcement agencies, organizations and foundations including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, the FBI Internet Crimes Taskforce, the American Medical Association and Alliance, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the US Department of Justice, Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, the National Crime Prevention Council (McGruff the Crime Dog®), the National Association of Broadcasters, the National Education Association, the National PTA, the Newspaper Association of America, Childhelp, Enough is Enough, Web Wise Kids, Wired Safety, as well as corporate sponsors: Adobe, AOL, Bearing Point, Convergys, DELL, Disney, Intel, McDonalds, Siebel Systems, Target, and Yahoo!.
The Coalition is a nonprofit organization, founded by Jacalyn Leavitt, to continue her efforts promoting public health and education. Visit www.iKeepSafe.org for additional information.
