The Wakulla County School District Supports Cyber Safety Program in Secondary Schools
Superintendent David Miller recognizes the importance of promoting internet safety. Superintendent Miller states, “In today’s age of techno-savvy students, the proliferation of internet videos, and the wide use of YouTube, MySpace and Facebook, it is essential that kids, teens and adults receive training in the proper procedures and dangers of the internet. Our environment is changing rapidly. The critical factor is equipping students, teachers, parents and administrators with solid information based on facts.”
Those are some of the reasons why Attorney General Bill McCollum’s Cyber Safety Program has been introduced in Wakulla’s schools this spring. Attorney General Bill McCollum is expected, schedule permitting, at Riversprings in May to present the Cyber Safety message, along with the child predator cybercrime unit, to our middle school students.
The main message is Safe Surfing. Keep Florida safe from shore to digital shore. David Miller adds, “We want our students to learn valuable information about protecting themselves while surfing the internet, safeguarding personal information such as telephone numbers and addresses and avoiding potentially dangerous situations. Our students need to learn how to protect themselves online while playing games, surfing the internet and having fun. There are risks associated with these new advances in technology; however, there are also positive ways in which technology can be used.”
According to http://myfloridalegal.com , more than 77 million children regularly use the Internet. The Federal Internet Crimes against Children Task Force says Florida ranks fourth in the nation in volume of child pornography. Nationally, one in seven children between the ages of ten and 17 have been solicited online by a sexual predator. On October 1, 2007, the CyberCrimes against Children Act of 2007 went into effect, making Florida one of the leading states in the nation with laws against cybercrimes that target children.
The Safe Surf initiative has been endorsed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Bryan and professional surfer and eight-time world champion Kelly Alter. Additional information, facts and myths of online risks, avoiding cyberbullies and safety tips are available at the following web-sites:
Schools 
Subscribe to this comment's feed
