Congressman Nick Lampson Applauds Internet Educational Tool Designed to Raise Online Safety Awareness
Congressman Nick Lampson Applauds Internet Educational Tool Designed to Raise Online Safety Awareness
Congressman Nick Lampson, founder and co-chair of the Congressional Missing and Exploited Children's Caucus, today joined representatives from the Qwest Foundation, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), and other members of Congress to announce the launch of NetSmartz411. This free online safety resource for parents, guardians, children, teens, educators and law enforcement will help raise online safety awareness and keep children safer online. NetSmartz411 will feature experts from NCMEC and is funded by the Qwest Foundation.
Congressman Nick Lampson tests online safety tool, NetSMartz411.org, with guidance from NCMEC representative Diana Beckman
"Popular social networking websites have become a feeding ground for pedophiles and convicted sex offenders," said Congressman Lampson. "Parents educated about the dangers of the Internet are the first line of defense. Programs like Qwest's NetSmartz411.org will not only provide parents with necessary resources, but will also reinforce our efforts to help make the Internet a safer place. Parents, law enforcement, corporate partners and lawmakers working together provide the best defense for protecting our nation's children online."
NetSmartz411 will be managed by experts at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC), and located on the Internet at www.NetSmartz411.org.
By accessing NetSmartz411, parents can directly contact NCMEC experts with their concerns and receive responses within one business day. Individuals can also learn more about issues related to Internet safety and online security through NetSmartz411's online safety knowledge database.
Qwest and NCMEC have been working together to combat online victimization of youth since 2005.
"Parents and guardians have a very tough job keeping up with their children in this ever changing world of technology," said Ernie Allen, NCMEC president and CEO. "Thanks to the Qwest Foundation, for the first time, they will have direct access to NCMEC experts through NetSmartz411, who can respond to their specific questions and concerns to open up the lines of communication to help bridge the technology gap."
"Qwest and the Qwest Foundation believe it's crucial for families to learn how to help keep their children safer online, and the Foundation is pleased to bring this resource to families with the support of Members of Congress," said Paula Kruger, executive vice president and leader of Qwest and the Qwest Foundation's online safety efforts.
Today's announcement took place in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Other members of Congress at the event included U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln, D-Arkansas, Richard Shelby, R-Alabama, co-chairs of the Senate Caucus on Missing, Exploited and Runaway Children; Senators Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, Robert Bennett, R-Utah; and Representatives Bud Cramer, D-Alabama, Lee Terry, R-Nebraska, and Jon Porter, R-Nevada
About the Congressional Missing & Exploited Children's Caucus:
The Caucus works to: (1)create a voice within Congress and introduce legislation that strengthens law enforcement, community organizing and school-based efforts to address child abduction; (2) identify ways to effectively address child exploitation and abduction across the country; and (3) build awareness for the purpose of finding children who are currently missing and prevents future abductions. Congressman Lampson founded the Caucus following the 1997 abduction and murder of a child in his district.
About NCMEC: NCMEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. NCMEC's congressionally mandated CyberTipline, a reporting mechanism for child sexual exploitation, has handled more than 441,900 leads. Since its establishment in 1984, NCMEC has assisted law enforcement with more than 127,700 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery of more than 110,200 children. For more information about NCMEC, call its toll-free hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or visit www.missingkids.com.
About the Qwest Foundation: The Qwest Foundation's core principle is that investing in education provides lasting value for the future. The Qwest Foundation awards grants to community based programs that generate high-impact and measurable results, focusing on pre-K through 12 education.
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