[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 296 Introduced in House (IH)]






109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 296

 Recognizing the achievements and contributions of ``Teenangels'' and 
WiredSafety/WiredKids Executive Director Parry Aftab, in addressing the 
         growing problem of cyberbullying in the United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 24, 2005

   Ms. Linda T. Sanchez of California (for herself and Mr. Green of 
 Wisconsin) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
 the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and in addition to the 
   Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently 
   determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
 provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the achievements and contributions of ``Teenangels'' and 
WiredSafety/WiredKids Executive Director Parry Aftab, in addressing the 
         growing problem of cyberbullying in the United States.

Whereas cyberbullying is defined as the transmission by one minor to another 
        minor, through Web sites, instant messaging, camera phones, cell phones, 
        Web blogs, or other electronic means, threats of physical harm, 
        terrorist threats, comments meant to damage the reputation, embarrass, 
        humiliate, insult, spread rumors, defame, or intimidate;
Whereas cyberbullying can cause psychological harm, negatively impact academic 
        performance, safety, and the well-being of children in school, force 
        children to change schools, and in some cases lead to murder or suicide;
Whereas given the anonymity of all electronic communications, children and 
        adolescents' sometimes lack of impulse control and underdeveloped 
        empathy skills, the potential for widespread public distribution, 
        limited Internet responsible use education, and the inability to 
        appreciate the harm caused by cyberbullying, such acts can be 
        particularly dangerous and cruel to youths;
Whereas as WiredSafety.org and StopCyberbullying.org's studies have found that 
        this problem affects all children from 9 years old to 14 years old, and 
        often involves cyber-sexual harassment targeting students over 14 years 
        of age; and their studies have shown that more than 85 percent of 
        preteens have had their feelings hurt by someone else online, and a 
        large percentage of preteens and teens have had their passwords or 
        identities stolen, and an average of 60 percent of the middle school 
        students polled admitted to being involved directly or indirectly in a 
        cyberbullying incident (in some cases as high as 97 percent of students 
        polled at certain schools admitted to being involved in a cyberbullying 
        incident), and that more than 65 percent of teens polled have 
        intentionally visited Web sites that made fun of their peers;
Whereas studies also show that parents, teachers, guidance counselors, students, 
        and law enforcement agents are often ill-equipped to deal with 
        cyberbullying or misunderstand it, thinking that it is merely offline 
        bullying moved to cyberspace;
Whereas Parry Aftab is one of the world's leading experts on cybercrime, 
        Internet privacy, cyber-abuse, cyberbullying, and children's internet 
        safety and responsible surfing issues;
Whereas Parry Aftab is the Executive Director of WiredSafety, an organization 
        that provides help, information and education to Internet and mobile 
        device users of all ages which operates StopCyberbullying.org;
Whereas Parry Aftab is the Executive Director of WiredKids, a United States 
        charity dedicated to protecting all Internet users, especially children, 
        from cybercrime and abuse, and to helping everyone learn how to protect 
        their privacy and security online and to teach responsible Internet use;
Whereas Parry Aftab and WiredKids founded and direct the ``Teenangels'' and 
        their younger counterpart ``Tweenangels'', a diverse group of youths 
        ages 9-18 from all walks of life, from various backgrounds, religions, 
        races, both male and female, who go out into their local communities and 
        schools and teach others about Internet safety;
Whereas Teenangels receive months of extensive training from Parry Aftab and 
        other cyber-safety experts, including the Federal Bureau of 
        Investigation (FBI) and conduct extensive research on issues affecting 
        Internet safety and responsible technology use by children;
Whereas following training, Teenangels are equipped to do presentations at their 
        school, and other schools about Internet safety issues;
Whereas every Teenangels Chapter develops a ``Top Ten Internet Safety Tip List'' 
        for use in presentations on software protections, safe surfing engines, 
        interactive gaming, cyberbullying, and other online and computer 
        concerns and a ``Kids Internet Bill of Rights'' that provides, among 
        other things, that young people have the right to use the Internet 
        without harassment, cyberbullying or sexual exploitation, without having 
        their personal information misused, or being redirected to pornography 
        when surfing for their favorite kid sites;
Whereas Marvel Enterprises (the home of Marvel comics) has donated an exclusive 
        license for Dr. Aftab and Wired Kids to use their popular super heroes, 
        such as Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, X-Men and Fantastic Four, in 
        educating parents, schools and children about safe and responsible 
        technology use, including InternetSuperHeroes.org's good 
        cybercitizenship programs and custom comic books featuring Teenangels 
        and Marvel's Spider-Man and other super hero characters; and
Whereas there are over 290 Teenangels worldwide, including chapters in 
        California, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Maryland, Washington, D.C., 
        the United Kingdom, and Pakistan, promoting safe and responsible 
        Internet use, and keeping themselves, their families, other youth, and 
        their communities educated about Internet risks and the dangers of 
        cyberbullying: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends Dr. Parry Aftab of WiredSafety/WiredKids and 
        the ``Teenangels'' and ``Tweenangels'' for their vision, 
        innovation, commitment, dedication, and efforts to educating 
        students, parents, and the public on the dangers of 
        cyberbullying, and on positive alternatives to cyberbullying;
            (2) supports ``Teenangels'' education and presentation 
        model, which teaches students, teachers, and the community to 
        avoid and combat cyberbullying, and to engage in safe online 
        activities; and
            (3) encourages every school district and community in the 
        United States of America to establish ``Teenangels'' Chapters 
        to educate students about Internet safety and the dangers of 
        cyberbullying and empower their youth to become good 
        cybercitizens.
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