NCJ Number
219566
Journal
THE POLICE CHIEF Volume: 74 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2007 Pages: 46-48,50,52,54
Date Published
April 2007
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article identifies some of the tools that can assist police executives and management address the issue of Internet safety in their communities.
Abstract
The first step in the educational battle for Internet safety is awareness. The Seattle Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children/Child Exploitation Unit has presented Internet safety programs to tens of thousands of community members, such as elementary, middle, and high school students. Officers have an opportunity to be proactive and have a positive influence in their communities. In addition, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children together with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, has created an Internet safety and awareness program called NetSmartz. NetSmartz was created to help parents, educators, and law enforcement officers teach children from an early age how to avoid dangers online. The program consists of four PowerPoint presentations (younger elementary school children, older elementary school children, middle and high school students, and parents) that have been created as educational tools for law enforcement and educators. Today’s technology is more advanced, but the nature of a teenager has not changed. For all the good of the Internet, there are also many potential risks associated with Internet use. Awareness is the key.