NBC29Task Force Releases Internet Safety Tips

Task Force Releases Internet Safety Tips

Reported by Loretta Boniti
December 20, 2006 

Keeping kids safe on the internet has been the focus of Attorney General Bob McDonnell since he's taken office and Wednesday his task force presented its work on how to limit some of the risks of the web.

That task force includes everyone from lawmakers to parents and kids. They've been working for six months to come up with ways to help police predators on the internet and now they say they've found some answers.

"Technology is our greatest ally, but its also our biggest challenge in being able to police the internet and being able to police the computer cyberspace," said Colonel Steve Flaherty of the Virginia State Police. 

But, with a growing number of predators now going on line to commit their crimes some state leaders say it is time to crackdown on this new breed of criminal.  "In many instances, crimes that today that have a maximum of only 10 years will have a range of punishment of five to 30 years," stated Commonwealth's Attorney Kim White. 

Part of the extensive list of recommendations released by the Youth Internet Safety Task Force increases minimum sentences for adults who solicit minors online. Also proposed Wednesday was a massive media campaign to teach kids and parents about the dangers that lurk on the internet.

"The internet didn't revolutionalize American life in a year or two...and we're not going to change the perceptions and level of involvement busy parents overnight," explained McDonnell (R). 

To keep up this proposed long term teaching campaign there will need to be money to get out the message. It's something many private companies have already given thousands of dollars to help out for, including America On Line, who just announced a $100,000 donation to help in the effort to keep kids safe on line.

The task force is also the group that is working with the online networking site MySpace.com to pass a new law in Virginia that will require sex offenders to register email addresses so that sites, like MySpace, can block them.

While state leaders in Richmond are considering these proposals, there is something parents can be doing to help keep their kids safe online. They can go here to view the study released Wednesday that includes an internet safety resource where you can learn more about the dangers on the web and what to do to protect kids.