Computer experts offer seminar in how to navigate Internet safely

2/20/2008

TEMPERANCE - A team of computer experts from the Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative will be educating students and their parents next week on Internet safety.

While students in each of the district's five elementary schools and the junior high school will get lessons in computer safety in the classroom, parents, grandparents, and others will have the opportunity to learn what measures they can take to protect their children from Internet predators.

Superintendent Jon White said he is strongly encouraging parents and others who live in the district as well as those whose children attend schools outside the township to attend the community seminar at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the auditorium at Bedford High School.

"We feel this is extremely important. We are the only school district in the area to offer it," said Mr. White.

The Internet safety presentation hosted by the Internet safety program from Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox's office will give tips on how to access the state sex offender registry and receive e-mail on updates to the site.

"This is a program for adults, parents, and grandparents. We are interested in getting as many people involved as we can. This is a program that is important for everyone," Mr. White said.

The program is free to all participants, regardless of the school district where they live or their residence.

After the seminar, Monroe County sheriff's deputies will be available to discuss Internet predators and will hand out software information.

The state Cyber Safety Program is designed for children from kindergarten through the eighth grade.

It is being coordinated by the Bedford Parent Teachers Association Council.

During the week, members of the attorney general's staff will be in each of the classrooms to teach children how to navigate the Internet safely.

Tom Lambert, a spokesman for the attorney general, said the office's Child and Public Protection Unit has led to the arrest of more than 155 Internet predators who were seeking to meet with children online.