Introduced Version






HOUSE

RESOLUTION No. ___




Introduced by: Austin


____________________________________




    A HOUSE RESOLUTION endorsing increasing Internet safety awareness, endorsing an “Indiana Internet Safety Day” in each community, encouraging the Public Education and Government Channels to carry Internet safety awareness videos and PSA's, and supporting the idea that Indiana state agencies, schools, the media, businesses, non-profits, and other organizations, as appropriate, be encouraged to support this and other Internet safety awareness and educational initiatives.
    
    Whereas, the use of computers and the Internet is becoming increasingly important in our fast paced world; and

    Whereas, the knowledge of how to use the Internet safely is vitally important to all Indiana residents that access the

Internet; and

    Whereas, those that are not aware of how to access the Internet safely are more likely to become victims or otherwise be taken advantage of by unscrupulous or hateful individuals; and

    Whereas, youth are especially susceptible to being targeted by Net Predators and Cyber Bullies; and

    Whereas, Net Predators often pretend they are teens to gain youths' trust, set up a face-to-face meeting, and then try to harm the youths or force youths to do something they don't want to do; and

    Whereas, many youth do not understand the consequences of inappropriate blogging or the posting of information on the Internet, and that this information is being increasingly collected by personnel departments and headhunters that consider applicants for jobs, and that inappropriate information that is associated with a person can impact that person's ability to find a job for the rest of their life; and

    Whereas, youths that feel uncomfortable when using the Internet should be encouraged to talk to their parents or a trustworthy adult; and

    Whereas, hate websites often use a combination of truth and lies to spread intolerance and falsehoods about religions, races, politics, ethnicities, and even countries; and that a lack of awareness of hate websites contributes to hate websites' effectiveness at spreading lies and misinformation that impact both youths and adults alike; and

    Whereas, identity theft, computer viruses, password theft, spam, and spyware target victims of all ages; and

    Whereas, an understanding of identity theft, computer viruses, password theft, spam, and spyware enable Internet users to more safely utilize the Internet, that those that can safely and comfortably access the Internet will tend to become

more Internet saavy, and that those that can effectively utilize the Internet and are Internet saavy will enhance their job skills and life skills; and

    Whereas, the Net Literacy Corporation, a youth empowered 501(c)(3), has created Safe Connects, an Internet safety awareness and information initiative that is working together with Indiana state agencies, the Indiana Department of Education, the media, businesses, and non-profits to increase Internet safety awareness; and

    Whereas, earlier this year, Net Literacy student volunteers have scripted and created ten Internet safety awareness Public Service Announcements that were reviewed by the Indiana Department of Education's Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy; and

    Whereas, recently, Net Literacy student volunteers have scripted and created three 30 minute, age appropriate Internet safety awareness television programs designed for 4th-6th graders and their parents, 7th and 8th graders and their parents, and 9th to 12th graders and their parents, that were reviewed by the Indiana Department of Education's Indiana School Safety Specialist Academy; and

    Whereas, Net Literacy's student volunteers plan to make this programming available at no cost to all Public, Education, and Government Channels throughout the State of Indiana; therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the

General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

    SECTION 1. That the Indiana House of Representatives encourage Indiana state agencies, schools, the media, businesses, non-profits, and other organizations, as appropriate, to support this and other Internet safety awareness and educational initiatives.
    SECTION 2. That the Indiana House of Representatives encourage broadcasters and Indiana's Public, Education, and Government Channels to carry the Internet safety these Public Service

Announcements, Net Literacy Internet safety awareness programs, and other Internet safety awareness programming and information to increase Internet Safety awareness throughout Indiana.
    SECTION 3. That the Indiana House of Representatives support Net Literacy's efforts to create an Indiana Internet Safety Day in each community to help publicize the importance of Internet safety.
    SECTION 4. That the Principal Clerk of the Indiana House of Representatives shall transmit a copy of this resolution to Net Literacy.





DR 4838/DI jk

2009


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