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Be cyber safe this summer Web Wise Kids makes learning Internet savvy fun. By Susan BelknappPublished: May, 2011

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Web Wise Kids (WWK) has a unique approach to Internet safety using state-of-the-art games to effectively communicate Internet and cell phone safety strategies to reach today’s e-generation. The innovative nonprofit organization creates school-approved crime-prevention programs and has prepared more than 10 million youth and thousands of parents to be their own first lines of defense from online and cell phone danger.   Judi Westberg Warren, president and CEO of WWK answered a few questions about why summer is the time for parents to be on full alert. OCF: Why is summer a particularly dangerous time for children online? JWW: Summer is a dangerous time as often kids have a lot of free time, which is unsupervised. Kids can access social media from any number of devices and locations so it is critical that parents are involved in educating their kids on the important consequences of their online choices.   OCF: What are the biggest threats to children online? JWW: We have all heard about the growing problem of kids bullying each other online. Along with Bullying, Internet Predators and what kids post and say on social media sites are all situations where kids are vulnerable.   OCF: How can parents monitor without spying? JWW: Being online for a child is a privilege not a right, and that privilege comes with responsibilities. Parents need to be involved with their children’s online use just as they would be with any other important life lesson such as driving a car. It is also important to know that most devices, cell phones, games etc. come with parental control devices, which they should activate.   OCF: Are there simple solutions that may rectify many of the issues?   JWW: There are so many changes in technology and so many diverse devices on which to access the Internet that there is no magic bullet. But if parents talk with their kids about the situations they could face and educate them on how to respond, parents can create an environment which will help provide a safe and rewarding online experience for their family. WWK helps children develop their Internet savvy by providing innovative and effective tools that assist them in understanding media and technology. WWK is part of the federal government’s Project Safe Childhood initiative.   From webwisekids.org: Our programs assist youth to confidently navigate issues like sexting, bullying, piracy, fraud, online romances, cyber stalking, and other online hazards. We take a “hands-on, minds-on” approach to education by offering challenging and realistic digital games that have been specially designed to assist young people to evaluate their online activities and experiences, and take appropriate actions to stay safe online. Donations are accepted online, corporate partnerships are encouraged and tickets to the Web Wise Kids dinner auction and dance, being held on September 15 can also be found at webwisekids.org.

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