Internet Safety Wake-Up
Dedicated to the Memory of Amber Hagerman In 2005 our theme was Be Safe. This year, it's Take Action. Your responses to last year's member survey and eNews stories clearly told us that you want to help find missing children and prevent them from going missing in the first place. We've heard you. In 2006 the eNews will be filled with opportunities to Take Action in your homes and communities. In this issue: Internet Safety Wake Up Take Action: Read the Nationwide Poll Take Action: Pre-Order Your Free Internet Safety Kit Today Amber Alerts for the Everyday Citizen Take Action: Subscribe to Amber Alerts __________________________________ Wake Up Call on Internet Behavior Late last year we conducted a nationwide Internet poll of teens and tweens (8-12 years old). The stunning results reveal that vast numbers of teens engage in incredibly risky behaviors online. Most parents have no idea that: Half of teens (age 13-18 ) frequently communicate online with someone they've never met in person One-third have talked about meeting someone whom they've only met through the Internet 42% said they've posted personal information that would enable someone to find them Nearly one in eight have discovered that an online "friend" was actually an adult pretending to be much younger (this is a hallmark of a predator). The poll tells us that the Internet is completely woven into the fabric of young people's lives. The way young people are approaching this new world puts them at great risk for online predators. Take Action: Read the Nationwide Poll of Teen and Tween Internet Behavior. http://www.pollyklaas.org/internet-safety/pkfsummary.pdf News media throughout the nation are using our poll results in stories on Internet safety. What can you do now? In light of how much—and how bold—kids are online today, parents need to be armed with realistic strategies. Start with some ideas right now, click here. In Spring, 2006 we'll publish a free Internet Safety Kit for parents. The Kit will provide guidance on how your teens and tweens can minimize dangers while living their online lives. Take Action: Pre-order your free Internet Safety Kit today If you live in the US, click here. If you live outside the US, click here. _________________________________ Join us in keeping children safe Amber Alerts for the Everyday Citizen With a text messaging cell phone, you may be able to help rescue a child. Subscribe to receive Amber Alerts issued in your area. More than 90% of text messaging cell phones have the ability to receive Amber Alerts, says the Wireless Foundation, which works with cell phone carriers. At publication time, 23 carriers, including all the major carriers, are participating in this voluntary initiative. People have been quick to respond to Amber Alerts, which are broadcast on radio, TV, email, highway signs, and cell phones. A number of children have been recovered because everyday citizens called law enforcement after seeing a car or adult described in an Amber Alert. Take Action: Receive Amber Alerts on your cell phone, click here. Amber Alerts were created to honor Amber Hagerman of Arlington, Texas, who was kidnapped and brutally murdered ten years ago this month. They are issued when a child is in danger of death or serious injury, and there is a confirmed kidnapping with a description the kidnapper or vehicle. The Polly Klaas® Foundation worked with then California Governor Gray Davis in 2002 to implement a statewide Amber Alert system. The day after he signed the bill, California's first Alert was issued. Two teenage girls in Lancaster County who had been kidnapped and sexually assaulted by a convicted felon were saved. We then took our Amber Alert campaign national. All 50 states now have state-wide systems—and President Bush signed the National Amber Alert System into law on April 30, 2003. To date 241 children have been recovered through Amber Alerts. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About Polly Klaas® Foundation The Polly Klaas® Foundation helps find missing children, prevents children from going missing in the first place, and works with policymakers to promote legislation like Amber Alerts. Privacy Policy Our promise to you: We won't sell, loan or share your name or personal information with anyone. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © 2006 Polly Klaas® Foundation, P.O. Box 800, Petaluma, CA 94953 E-mail: info@pollyklaas.org ~ Phone: (707) 769-1334 ~ 24 hour hotline: (800) 587-4357 Click here to sign up for Polly Klaas® Foundation e-news. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------