Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox Warns of Internet Dangers

21 April 2006

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox today sent a strong message to parents -- protect your children from the dangers of the Internet. In a consumer alert, the Attorney General identified six tips parents should consider when addressing Internet safety issues with their children.

"We all know how extensive the information highway is, and most of us can accept that our children are more Internet savvy than we are," said Cox. "However, knowing how to surf the Internet and understanding how dangerous it is do not always go hand in hand. That's why it is so important for all parents to teach their children to protect themselves and to learn to practice Internet safety."

This message comes in the wake of the increased popularity of Internet networking sites such as myspace.com and friendster.com.

Examples of steps parents can take to protect their children from Internet danger are:

1. Create clear and simple ground rules for children to follow;

2. Place a computer with Internet access in a location that is visible to

other members of the family;

3. Do not let children post identifying information anywhere on the

Internet without your permission;

4. Immediately report if you think your child is being solicited online.

You can contact the Michigan State Police at 1-877-5CYBER3;

5. Make sure your child knows they can come to you if they feel

threatened or encounter any sort of problems online;

6. Learn everything you can about the Internet; and

7. Become familiar with blocking and monitoring programs.

The consumer alert also contains useful information about additional resources available on Internet safety.

"As parents, we must actively work to protect our children, whether from strangers on the sidewalk or strangers on the Web," added Cox. "All of Michigan's children need to be better informed on how to be safe online."

Attorney General Cox created the Child and Public Protection Unit that has, to date, prosecuted 86 Internet sexual predators. Child sexually abusive activity is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine. Using the Internet to communicate with another individual to commit child sexually abusive activity is also a felony and is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.

A copy of the consumer alert is available from the Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-877-SOLVE-88 (1-877-765-8388) or accessing the Attorney General's Web site http://www.michigan.gov/ag.

These and other consumer alerts on a variety of topics affecting consumers are available at the Attorney General's web site, http://www.michigan.gov/ag (click on "Consumer Alerts"). Copies are also available from the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by mail or by phone:

Department of Attorney General

Consumer Protection Division

P.O. Box 30213

Lansing, MI 48909

http://www.michigan.gov/ag

517 373-1140

877-765-8388 (toll free)

Consumers interested in receiving electronic mail notification of Attorney General Consumer Alerts can sign up on the Attorney General's home page (http://www.michigan.gov/ag) by accessing the "Join the AG Mailing List" icon. Consumers may also elect to receive electronic notices of press releases and formal opinions.

Source: prnewswire

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