MARCH 25, 2011
Dangerous cyber activities lead notMYkid and the FBI Citizen’s Academy Alumni Association to deliver a free program to schools on Internet safety
SCOTTSDALE – notMYkid, www.notmykid.org is distributing a new program for middle school and high school students and parents, developed in collaboration with the FBI Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association (CAAA), www.fbica.org that focuses awareness on the dangers of being online.
With the rise of Internet dangers including Cyber-Bullying, Sexting and Online Predators, the two organizations have designed a program to present to parents and their tweens and teens. Through “real life” portrayals of these different Internet practices, the negative consequences are illustrated as warnings to parents and kids.
"The FBI Citizens' Academy Alumni Association and the notMYkid organizations are vital partners of law enforcement in combating Cyber-Bullying and Online Predators. It is our hope that with the issuance of the Internet Safety DVD that parents will be equipped with the necessary knowledge to protect their children and teens will be aware of cyber bullies and sexual predators in the ever changing world of cyber communication," says FBI Special Agent in Charge Nathan Gray, Phoenix Division.
Paul Penzone, Director of Prevention Programs at notMYkid stated “In order to educate and combat this issue notMYkid has collaborated with the FBI CAAA to develop a new and progressive program that will educate parents and young adults on these threats and how to best manage and protect themselves from these abuses. The first phase of the distribution will be to over 600 schools in Maricopa County. Our two organizations want to ensure that students have the opportunity to learn how to protect themselves from the uncertainties that lurk in the technology that they use today.”
The program includes a thorough presentation full of noteworthy statistics, as well as a docu-drama that acts out how real these dangers can be. Free webinars providing a step by step guide can also be accessed on each of the organizations websites (www.notmykid.org and www.fbica.org) for training on how to use the program.
Funding by Helios Education Foundation has allowed the two organizations to provide this first phase of distribution at no charge. Larry Abbott with the FBI CAAA stated, “With the anticipation of additional funding, the goal of notMYkid and the FBI Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association is to provide the program and its very important message to every middle school and high school throughout Arizona.”
