In recognition of National Internet Safety Month, the Senate on June 25 approved, by unanimous consent, a resolution (S. Res. 185) expressing the sense of the Senate regarding Internet safety. The resolution states that National Internet Safety Month “provides an opportunity to educate the people of the United States on the dangers of the Internet and the importance of being safe and responsible on-line.”
Sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), S. Res. 185 contains a number of congressional findings pertaining to children’s experiences with the Internet, including a Girl Scout study that found that 30 percent of girls responding to the study reported that they had been sexually harassed in a chat room; however, only 7 percent of the respondents told a parent about the harassment.
“Now is the time for America to focus its attention on supporting Internet safety, especially now that children are on summer vacation and will subsequently spend more time online,” said Sen. Murkowski. “Recent Internet crime trends indicate a call to action as it pertains to national Internet safety awareness at all levels.”
