[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 80 (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4285-S4286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 567--A BILL DESIGNATING JUNE 2008 AS ``NATIONAL 
                        INTERNET SAFETY MONTH''

  Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Bayh, Mr. 
Brown, Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Conrad, Mr. Craig, 
Mr. Crapo, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Domenici, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Hatch, Mrs. 
Hutchison, Mr. Inhofe, Mr. Kerry, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Leahy, Mrs. 
Lincoln, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Schumer, Ms. Snowe, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Vitter, 
Mr. Voinovich, and Mr. Wicker) submitted the following resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 567

       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 86 percent of the children of the 
     United States in grades 5 through 12 are online for at least 
     1 hour per week;
       Whereas approximately 67 percent of students in grades 5 
     through 12 do not share with their parents what they do on 
     the Internet;
       Whereas approximately 30 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 12 percent of middle school and high school 
     students have met face-to-face with someone they first met 
     online;
       Whereas 42 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 2008 as ``National Internet Safety 
     Month'';

[[Page S4286]]

       (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.

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today I introduced a resolution 
designating June 2008 as National Internet Safety Month.
  The Internet has become one of the most significant advances in the 
20th 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.
  I-SAFE is one nonprofit organization that has worked tirelessly to 
educate our youth and our community on these important issues. Formed 
in 1998, 
I-SAFE 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-six 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 12 percent of these students have met face-to-
face with someone they first met online and 42 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.

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