For Release: Feb. 26, 2008
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: tucker.martin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
McDonnell, Entertainment Software Association Highlight Internet Safety Video Games Provided Free to Richmond-Area Schools
CHESTER – Attorney General Bob McDonnell traveled to Chester Middle School today to highlight the success of three Internet safety video games provided free to Richmond-area schools.
The Attorney General was joined by Mike Gallagher, CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, which funded the effort to get the games into Richmond-area schools, and Judi Westberg Warren, President of Web Wise Kids, the organization that distributes the games.
In addition, Katie Canton of California, who serves as a Web Wise Kids Ambassador, told her personal story about how one of the video games played a crucial role in protecting her from a likely sex predator.
The video games have been placed in all 55 public middle schools and high schools in Richmond, Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield. They help students learn how to maintain a higher standard of personal safety and personal responsibility online.
“Missing” is a detective style game that challenges students to find a boy named "Zack" who spent hours in chat rooms and then disappeared. “Mirror Image” addresses issues like modeling scams, online romances, cyber stalking, chat rooms and Trojan horses. “Air Dogs” addresses the issues of cyber crimes, piracy, illegal downloading and intellectual property rights and other challenges facing students today. All three games were accompanied by a teacher training session on the program last April.
Also at today’s event Web Wise Kids and the Entertainment Software Association announced the launch of a new online resource for parents. The “Wired with Wisdom” program offers parents the tools they need to understand and address topics such as e-mail safety, personal websites, the World Wide Web, chat rooms, social networking and cyberbullying, with their children. The program is Internet-based and is divided into five stand alone, self-paced modules which take an average of 20 minutes to learn. The program is interactive and is appealing to all learning styles. It will be available free to Virginia parents online to access at their convenience.
Virginia parents can access the “Wired with Wisdom” program by visiting: http://www.webwisekids.org/VAG/
The password is “Family.” Users must register before using this free software.
The Attorney General’s Youth Internet Safety Advisory Committee is currently working on plans to disseminate this link to parents statewide. Web Wise Kids is a member of the Committee.
“We know that education and parental involvement are the keys to Internet safety,” McDonnell said. “By teaching children what to look for online, and what behavior to avoid, we are giving them the necessary tools to stay safe in the 21st Century. In addition, by providing a resource for parents to utilize in learning about online safety, we are helping Virginia parents to acquire the information they need to talk to their children in an effective and educated manner. I applaud the Entertainment Software Association and Web Wise Kids for their dedication to online safety, and to the parents and children of Virginia.”
According to Michael D. Gallagher, CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, the U.S. association representing computer and video game publishers, “The ESA is proud to provide the resources to launch this cutting edge initiative in Virginia. Working together, we believe this program will help parents teach their children high standards of personal safety and responsibility online. We applaud General McDonnell's leadership on this issue and appreciate the opportunity to work together to achieve the goal of protecting our children.”
Katie Canton’s personal story is one that has touched students and parents all across the country. She recounted that story at today’s event.
Katie was only 15 when she met a 22-year old man, John, in an Internet chat room. Before long, Katie was convinced they were in love. A few weeks into the relationship, John told Katie that he was ready to meet her in person. While Katie was eager to spend time with her “boyfriend,” Katie’s parents were horrified with the idea of John coming to their home.
Katie’s father, concerned that Katie might leave home to be with John against her parents’ wishes, went to the police for help. An officer gave him a copy of the Web Wise Kids Internet safety video game “Missing” and suggested that the family play it together.
After playing the game, Katie realized for herself that John was not a friend, but a child predator. Katie’s family notified the police of their suspicions and shortly afterward the San Francisco Police Department discovered that John was the primary suspect in the rape of a 13-year old girl. Katie turned over all of the gifts, letters and computer files she had from John. She also appeared at John’s trial to present testimony about the method he used to try to seduce her - not surprisingly it was the same method he had used with his 13-year-old victim. With Katie’s supporting evidence, John was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
Katie is now an Ambassador for Web Wise Kids. With Web Wise Kids, Katie helps reach young teens with the message of Internet safety.
The distribution of the Internet safety video games in the Richmond-area, and the “Wired with Wisdom” online resource for parents statewide, are part of the Attorney General’s ongoing effort to provide educational resources about online safety to Virginia parents and children.
