A program aimed at protecting children from sexual exploitation online, spearheaded by the University of Utah, will kick off Friday thanks to a $140,000 grant.
Led by three U. departments and a coalition of nonprofit organizations, the multimedia educational pro- gram, "Empowering Parents," aims at fostering safety for teenagers when they use the Internet.
"Utah has the highest population of children under age 18 and also the highest PC usage," said Laura Hunter, manager of the project and director of instructional services for the Utah Education Network. "We figured those things combined mean that there are more teens and parents who need access to information about how to be safe online."
The yearlong educational program, beginning Sept. 1, will target Utah teenagers, parents, teachers and community members.
Funded by a $140,000 grant from the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, the program will include a town hall meeting televised on KUED-Channel 7, a Web site, information packets, newspaper advertisements, posters, a toll-free information line, classes, and educational conferences and materials.
"The project will increase public knowledge about Internet vulnerabilities and provide ways to safeguard youth," said Hunter. "The effort combines strengths of broadcasting, technology in education and outcome-based community outreach."
Empowering Parents will involve the UEN, the College of Education and KUED-Channel 7, the Utah State Office of Education, the Attorney General's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and NetSmartz Workshop, an organization that provides interactive online activities to promote Internet safety for children and teenagers.
As part of the program the College of Education will develop mini-courses for parents on how to talk to children about electronic predation.
They will address basics about the Internet and other electronic communication such as text messaging, as well as parent-child communication and avoidance of Internet predators.
The outreach effort also will include distribution of information to school districts, via presentations for faculty members, educational conferences and parent groups.
Parents will also be able to request information packets via a yet-to-be-established toll-free number, as well as online, or through schools and libraries.
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