June 15, 2009
In 2005, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution designating June “National Internet Safety Month”.The resolution asked safety organizations, educators, law enforcement, civic leaders, parents and others to increase awareness of safe online practices. National Internet Safety Month focuses on ensuring that everyone who utilizes the Internet (also known as the “Web”), including families, parents and children, understands the dangers posed by and uses the Internet as safely as possible.
The 2005 resolution was viewed as especially important because the Internet has fundamentally changed how people communicate. While the Internet has opened up wonderful new channels of communication, learning, business and social interaction, there is also a dark side to the technology. On the Internet, people can communicate anonymously, hide their identity or mislead others as to their true age, location and intentions. Recently, the increasing popularity of social networking sites has made it easier for predators to connect with minors and take advantage of their relative innocence. Additionally, new sites continually appear on the Internet, making it much easier for predators to contact, deceive and then entice children. Predators are everywhere, and as you read this are actively preying on innocent children. As parents, the best defense for our children is to first educate ourselves and then to educate our children about how to avoid the dangers presented by the Internet.
At InstantAmber, we are committed to encouraging safe online practices. Our core Mission, protecting children, can be achieved in great part through education and safeguarding information. For this reason, InstantAmber has formed a number of strategic partnerships with organizations and companies that share the common goal of protecting children. Below is a list of partners that provide important resources for child safety:
- KinderVision - KinderVision's primary purpose is to teach children and youth, personal safety education via a unique, pro-active multimedia program aimed at preventing abduction and sexual exploitation. Visit the website to take the “Greatest Save Safety Quiz.
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Predator Safety - A site devoted to educating parents and children of online predators. Visit the site for information on child predators and group safety seminars.
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Stop Internet Predators - Stop Internet Predators is a project of Stop Child Predators, launched to educate parents and communities on emerging online child safety issues and empower them to protect their children’s privacy and safety. Visit the site and review safety initiatives and more.
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Safely Ever After - Safely Ever After, Inc. provides effective, non-fearful safety workshops, seminars, and keynote speeches at schools, community organizations, churches, and corporations throughout the United States. Visit the site and read the “Internet Safety Tips.”
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National Alert Registry - National Alert Registry (NAR) was designed to bring predator information directly to you. Visit the site to locate predators in your area.
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Neighborhood Scan - NeighborhoodScan.com is an online application that provides a full list of individuals registered within your zip code that are registered sex offenders. Visit the site to locate predators in your area.
Other Resources:
InstantAmber is committed to providing superior services, resources and education. Please take advantage of the resources within this article and make sure your family is aware of all online dangers. As another precaution, make sure that you enroll your children with InstantAmber; with InstantAmber, a parent has completed all of the necessary steps to be as prepared as possible in the event of a missing child emergency.
Sign up today and save 50% off the first year membership price by using the promo code: Internet
Promotion Ends 06/30/09
