ProtecTeens Version 3.0 Released

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 9, 2010
Media Contact: Bob Cooper
(208)334-4112

Attorney General, Secretary of State Release ProtecTeens Version 3.0

(Boise) – Attorney General Lawrence Wasden and Secretary of State Ben Ysursa today released ProtecTeens Version 3.0, a completely updated Internet safety program to inform and assist parents regarding the dangers children face from sexual predators and other risks on the Internet.

ProtecTeens consists of a 25-minute video presentation, the Attorney General’s Internet Safety Manual, A Parents’ Guide to Social Networking Websites, The Internet Lingo Dictionary, The Family Contract for Internet Safety, and information about parental control software.

The new ProtecTeens video includes sections covering:

general Internet risks and safe practices;
social networking websites;
online chat and instant messaging;
cell phones and “sexting”;
online gaming and virtual worlds; and
cyberbullying.

“We tend to take our electronic technology for granted these days, but if you think about the devices you use today, and the way you use them, the technology has changed considerably since we produced the original ProtecTeens program in 2005,” Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said. “This new video addresses many of those changes in technology and includes subjects that were not even on the radar screen five years ago. We have also completely revised and updated the supporting publications. All of the ProtecTeens components are packaged on a single DVD that includes the video and printed materials in English and in Spanish.”

“We think we’ve created a program that every parent with teenage children should watch,” Secretary of State Ben Ysursa said. “It has a good discussion of the benefits and risks kids face online, and it can really help parents minimize those risks.”

The ProtecTeens video and supporting publications are available on the Attorney General’s website. Idaho residents may order a free copy of the ProtecTeens DVD through the Attorney General’s website. Community groups and schools may also use the website to request a presentation by a member of the ProtecTeens Partnership.

In addition to Attorney General Wasden and Secretary of State Ysursa, the ProtecTeens partnership includes: Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, First Lady Lori Otter, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna, the Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, the Idaho Sheriffs Association, the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association, the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Idaho School Boards Association, the Idaho Association of School Administrators, the Idaho PTA and the Idaho Medical Association.

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