When we think of Internet safety cyber-bullying and Dateline’s “To Catch a Predator” news series quickly spring to mind. Yet nearly a third of Internet-related fraud complaints dealt with those 50 and older, according to a study by the Federal Trade Commission.
Verizon awarded a $25,000 grant to the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee to develop Internet safety workshops that will be held throughout the region to educate people in this age group about potential online risks like credit card and computer fraud, banking transactions and identity theft. The announcement took place during a forum on Internet safety. A Webcast of the forum is available, and I suggest it for those who are interested in learning more.
On March 2, Verizon will partner with the AARP Foundation and together with the West Virginia Attorney General’s Office and the National Cyber Security Alliance will hold a similar seminar to the event held at the University of South Florida.
Of course, we remain committed to safeguarding young Internet users. In Fredericksburg, Virginia, teachers, parents, and state officials learned first-hand about www.Thinkfinity.org resources that educators and students at Gayle Middle School use to promote cyber safety in the classroom.
Ensuring security in the online community requires many players and there is a great need to expand the dialogue so we're not only educating and empowering but advancing an online culture of trust and respect.
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