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Pennsylvania Attorney General Corbett Kicks Off 'Operation Safe Surf' Through Live Statewide Internet and Satellite Broadcast

Posted on: Wednesday, 11 October 2006, 12:00 CDT

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorney General Tom Corbett today appeared live via Internet and satellite to announce the official kickoff of the Internet safety program, Operation Safe Surf. The Attorney General was seen in hundreds of schools across the state with one school from each region of the state serving as an official host site.

As Pennsylvania's top law enforcement officer, Corbett has made it a top priority to guard children against sexual predators. As part of this effort, the Attorney General's Office is launching Operation Safe Surf to help educate kids, parents and schools about the importance of being safe online.

"Children are growing up in a digital age and being targeted by online predators at an alarming rate," Corbett said. "This program provides parents and schools with resources and tools to help kids learn how to protect themselves while still enjoying all of the benefits of the Internet. We are partnering with national leaders on Internet safety to offer the latest in curriculum and information for use in Pennsylvania classrooms and homes."

As part of the special live statewide broadcast, Corbett explained the importance of Internet safety to more than 300 students and faculty at John Harris High School in Harrisburg and also interacted via satellite with students from across the state, encouraging everyone to join him as a member of the Safe Surf campaign.

Part of the discussion between Corbett and the students included portions of a DVD the Attorney General's Office has created for middle and high school students, including segments that show an actual victim's story, a portrait of a predator and online safety tips.

Joining the Attorney General to launch Operation Safe Surf were agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit and lawyers from the Pennsylvania and local bar associations, who were on hand at each official host site to answer students' questions.

Corbett told students, "We are fighting an enemy that we can't see. Today's predators are anonymous. They no longer need to stalk playgrounds. Thanks to the Internet, these criminals can hide behind a computer screen to lure you into their webs. They are lurking everywhere, in chat rooms, on MySpace, Yahoo!, AOL, and you don't even realize who they are. You need to learn how to stay safe online."

Operation Safe Surf

Attorney General Corbett has made it a top priority of his office to protect children from online predators. The creation of the program Operation Safe Surf helps educate kids, parents and schools about the importance of being safe online.

Through a special partnership with the Pennsylvania Bar Association, more than 300 lawyers were trained to serve as advocates of the Office of Attorney General. These lawyers, along with agents from the Attorney General's Child Predator Unit and representatives of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, will make presentations to school and parent groups across the Commonwealth.

"I am proud that so many lawyers have volunteered to help in this statewide effort to protect Pennsylvania's children," said Kenneth J. Horoho Jr., President of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. "Our profession obligates us to act as leaders in our communities and to seek out new ways to expand our leadership roles. This program is a highlight of the PBA's efforts to protect, educate and motivate children."

Operation Safe Surf is divided into three learning groups: Elementary School, Middle & High School and Parents/Community Groups. Each group has a curriculum unique and specific to the interests and maturity levels of the students.

As part of the elementary program, Corbett's office has joined with the Internet Keep Safe Coalition to offer the acclaimed Faux Paw books, DVD and curriculum. These materials, which include lessons, coloring pages and resources, will help younger students understand the basics of online safety through the experiences of the cat, Faux Paw.

"I can't stress enough how important it is to lay a strong foundation of safe Internet use in our younger children," Corbett said. "If we can teach elementary students to be safe when they're 7 or 8 years old, chances are those habits will carry over to middle school and young adulthood."

Corbett said that young people today have grown up with the Internet and have never known a world without it, making "surfing" a part of their life that they often take for granted. That is why part of Operation Safe Surf also targets middle and high school students offering lessons, contests and a special DVD that explains online safety in terms that relate to them.

In addition to the elementary and middle/high school programs, Corbett's office has also created a DVD just for adults to help them better understand the importance of Internet safety and the seriousness of the issue. The DVD features victim stories, portraits of a predator and tips for protecting children online.

"As important as educating children about online dangers is, educating their parents, teachers and mentors is just as vital," Corbett said. "With 85% (13 million kids) of children using instant messaging and only 18% of adults 'IMing,' it's more important than ever for adults to be fully aware and committed to helping fight this type of crime against our children."

In addition to the DVDs and curriculum materials, the Attorney General's Office has created new resource areas on its web site, http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/. There are three new areas: "Just 4 Kids," Parent Information and the School & Educator Resource Center. The newly designed kids' site is divided into grade levels and features interactive learning games and activities for each age group on a variety of subjects.

All of the Operation Safe Surf materials are provided free of charge. Schools and community groups that are interested in materials, speakers or presentations can contact the Attorney General's Education and Outreach Office at 1-800-525-7642 or via email at education@attorneygeneral.gov.

Corbett urged anyone who has information about Internet predators to contact the Child Predator Unit, toll-free, at 1-800-385-1044.

CONTACT: Kevin Harley Press Secretary 717-787-5211 harley@attorneygeneral.gov

Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General

CONTACT: Kevin Harley, Press Secretary, Pennsylvania Office of AttorneyGeneral, +1-717-787-5211, Cell: +1-717-503-8890, harley@attorneygeneral.gov

Web site: http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/

Source: PRNewswire

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