Westmont, IL – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13th) today held a workshop at Westmont High School to train high school seniors from across the 13th Congressional District on how to provide Internet safety instruction to younger children.  After completing the lesson, the students will be given opportunities throughout the year to visit schools, libraries, and community centers to teach children in grades K through 4 how to stay safe while online.  Helping to teach the workshop were members of the Westmont, Lisle, Hinsdale and Naperville Police Departments, as well as representatives of AT&T, Comcast, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 
 
           “Who knows the Internet better than a high school senior?” said Biggert, Co-Chair of the House Caucus on Missing and Exploited Children.  “Their generation grew up on the Internet -- using email, social networking websites and instant messaging on a daily basis.  Let’s use their knowledge and experiences to reach younger students.”
 
           Approximately one in seven children online is approached with an unwanted sexual solicitation.  Naperville alone has experienced more than 30 cases involving inappropriate communication between an adult and a child.  In order to address this growing threat at the local level, Biggert is launching a long-term effort to provide Internet safety instruction to every student in the District.
 
           “The threats children face today are unlike anything their parents had to deal with growing up,” said Biggert.  “We need to give kids the tools and knowledge they need to recognize inappropriate online activity and avoid putting themselves at risk.”
 
           The workshop focused on teaching future safety instructors how to use the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s NetSmartz program, an online curriculum that uses age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach children how to avoid online dangers like identity theft and sexual predators.  It is available free-of-charge at http://www.netsmartz.org.  Following the workshop, students received an Internet safety teaching certificate and were encouraged to share their newfound knowledge with younger children in the community at future events in the months to come.
 
           “It’s wonderful to see how enthusiastic the students are about safeguarding their younger siblings and neighbors,” said Biggert.  “I’m really looking forward to working with them to expand this initiative and hopefully reach every child in the district.”

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