[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 81 (Wednesday, May 16, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S6213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL INTERNET SAFETY MONTH

  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 205, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 205) designating June 2007 as 
     ``National Internet Safety Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today I introduced a resolution 
designating June 2007 as National Internet Safety Month.
  The Internet has become one of the most significant advances in the 
twentieth century and, as a result, it affects people's lives in a 
positive manner each day. However, this technology presents dangers 
that need to be brought to the attention of all Americans. Consider the 
pervasiveness of Internet access by children and the rapid increase in 
Internet crime and predatory behavior. Never before have powerful 
educational solutions--such as Internet safety curricula for grades 
kindergarten through 12--been more critical and readily at hand.
  Mr. President, i-SAFE America is one nonprofit organization that has 
worked tirelessly to educate our youth and our community on these 
important issues. Formed in 1998, i-SAFE America educates youth in all 
50 states, Washington, DC, and Department of Defense schools worldwide 
to ensure that they have a safe experience online.
  It is imperative that all Americans learn about the Internet safety 
strategies which will help keep their children safe from victimization. 
Consider the facts: In the United States, about 35 million school-aged 
children have Internet access. Eighty percent of middle and high school 
students are online for at least one hour per week.
  An alarming statistic is that 61 percent of middle and high school 
youths admit to using the Internet unsafely or inappropriately. 
Furthermore, at least 20 percent of these students have met face-to-
face with someone they first met online and 23 percent of these 
students know of someone who has been bullied online.
  Now is the time for America to focus its attention on supporting 
Internet safety, especially bearing in mind that children will soon be 
on summer vacation and will spend more time online.
  Ms. CANTWELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 205) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 205

       Whereas there are more than 1,000,000,000 Internet users 
     worldwide;
       Whereas, in the United States, 35,000,000 children in 
     kindergarten through grade 12 have Internet access;
       Whereas approximately 80 percent of the children of the 
     United States in grades 5 through 12 are online for at least 
     1 hour per week;
       Whereas approximately 41 percent of students in grades 5 
     through 12 do not share with their parents what they do on 
     the Internet;
       Whereas approximately 24 percent of students in grades 5 
     through 12 have hidden their online activities from their 
     parents;
       Whereas approximately 31 percent of the students in grades 
     5 through 12 have the skill to circumvent Internet filter 
     software;
       Whereas 61 percent of the students admit to using the 
     Internet unsafely or inappropriately;
       Whereas 20 percent of middle school and high school 
     students have met face-to-face with someone they first met 
     online;
       Whereas 23 percent of students know someone who has been 
     bullied online;
       Whereas 56 percent of parents feel that online bullying of 
     children is an issue that needs to be addressed;
       Whereas 47 percent of parents feel that their ability to 
     monitor and shelter their children from inappropriate 
     material on the Internet is limited; and
       Whereas 61 percent of parents want to be more personally 
     involved with Internet safety: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates June 2007 as ``National Internet Safety 
     Month'';
       (2) recognizes that National Internet Safety Month provides 
     the citizens of the United States with an opportunity to 
     learn more about--
       (A) the dangers of the Internet; and
       (B) the importance of being safe and responsible online;
       (3) commends and recognizes national and community 
     organizations for--
       (A) promoting awareness of the dangers of the Internet; and
       (B) providing information and training that develops 
     critical thinking and decision-making skills that are needed 
     to use the Internet safely; and
       (4) calls on Internet safety organizations, law 
     enforcement, educators, community leaders, parents, and 
     volunteers to increase their efforts to raise the level of 
     awareness for the need for online safety in the United 
     States.

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