Growing incidences of cybercrimes against children and teens provided undeniable evidence that there was a need for a comprehensive, culture-changing program that empowers children and teens with the knowledge, skills and ability to stay safe online. This need brought on the Georgia CyberSafety Initiative: An Awareness and Action Campaign (GaCSI), which provides the state of Georgia with the resources needed to battle cybercrimes and help keep children safe online. GPB is collaborating with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and Richard Hull Middle School PTA (RHMS) of Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) to fully develop the community education component of the GaCSI. Verizon’s philanthropic arm, the Verizon Foundation, awarded GPB a grant which will help with the completion of this component of GaCSI. The community education component of this grant, will follow a two-pronged approach:
1. A series of educational and informative 3 – 5 minute podcasts featuring experts on Internet safety, cyberbullying, and child/adolescent growth and development interviewed via telephone to discuss and offer solutions on Internet safety.
2. A series of 7 webcasts to be used by GEMA as a prerequisite to their two-day community presenter certification class on Internet safety, enabling enrollees to do guided pre-class preparation.
This component of GaCSI will be rolled out statewide with online dissemination by GPB. Ultimately, as GaCSI has access to more funding, the entire GaCSI program will be fully developed and will have national impact as a replicable, model program of best practices. With its statewide broadcast coverage and commitment to using Internet and other emerging information technologies for the benefit of K-12 education, GPB is the logical choice to take the lead on protecting children by utilizing cybersafety information and education through the Georgia CyberSafety Initiative: An Awareness and Action Campaign program. Watch video segments of the Governor’s Town Hall Meeting on Internet Safety:
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Michele Robinson
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Governor Perdue
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Panel Introductions
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: David Nahmias
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Sue Dowling
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Tod Keys
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Garry McGiboney, PH.D.
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Kelley Bradshaw
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Michael Mckeehan
* Partnership for a Child-Safe Internet: Q & A
* Partnership for Child-Safe Internet
