Safer Internet Day - Today and Everyday
 

Dear Friends,

Today is Safer Internet Day.

Kids and adults are reaping the many positive rewards that Internet technology brings to our lives each and every day.  As a grandparent, I  am thrilled when I see my young grandchildren profiting from Internet technology. My 2 ½ year old granddaughter was recently playing a game on her mother's iPhone that allowed her to make and  bake cookies and cakes in a virtual kitchen. Her 5 year old brother is a Lego master builder, both online and offline.

I don't know of an adult who can even imagine doing business without the Internet or the convenience of communicating to large groups of people both personally and professionally  in Internet time. One only need watch 30 minutes of television sprinkled with commercials by Internet industry giants showcasing the amazing benefits of their technology to understand the exciting possibilities of the Internet.

What you often don't hear however, is the real and present dangers that darken the wonders of the Internet by those who exploit it for personal profit or to deliberately harm others.  The term 'safer" itself implies that its not that safe and we must do something to make it safer.

The Internet in the United States is open, which means anyone with Internet access can get "All the Good and All the Bad".  That's where Enough Is Enough^®  stands in the gap. We are here to "Educate, Equip and Empower" you to make the Internet safer for your children, your family and your community, today and everyday.

But YOU must DO something.  Remember the old saying, "You don't know what you don't know?"

Many parents, grandparents, educators and caring adults still don't fully comprehend that kids with unfiltered Internet access can accidentally be exposed to extreme hardcore pornography through their smart phones, tablets and computers. Or that sexual predators actively  and anonymously seek out youth to groom and exploit. Or that almost half of today's youth are experiencing some form of cyberbullying.

Knowledge is power. The great news is that the majority of dangers caused by those who exploit and misuse the Internet are preventable. 

Here's what you can do. 

1. Get educated and empowered yourself. Review and implement both the non technical and technical measures "Rules N Tools" on all of your childrens' Internet enabled devices.
2. Get involved-Get Internet Safety 101^® Program for yourself or to share with your friends, church, or PTA/PTO group. The 101 Facilitator Edition equips you to be an Internet Safety 101^® Facilitator. You can host an Internet Safety 101^® Workshop by using the Plug & Play Internet Safety 101^® DVD Teaching Series, we've already done all the work!
3. Get your local Public Television station to air The EIE/PBS Internet Safety 101® TV Series, which recently won an Emmy Award. The National Educational Television Association (NETA) is offering the 101 TV series to all public television stations in America through fall 2014.  And better yet, it's FREE for your local station to air. You could be the reason countless adults are educated and empowered, thereby helping to prevent the kids in your community from becoming ensnared by Internet dangers and traps. Take 5 minutes, Don't wait, do it now!  To help you, I have included a link to PBS station finder to help you, click here, type in your zip code and get connected to your local station.

We are here to help you make the Internet safer for your children, family and community. Please let us know how we can be of assistance.

Together, we can make a difference. 

Donna Rice Hughes

President & CEO