07-R407

2007 -- H 6510

Enacted 07/06/07

J O I N T R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF JUNE AS "RHODE ISLAND INTERNET SAFETY

MONTH"

Introduced By: Representatives Smith, Gorham, and Murphy

Date Introduced: June 07, 2007

     WHEREAS, There are more than 1,000,000,000 Internet users worldwide, and in the

United States, 35,000,000 children in kindergarten through grade 12 have Internet access; and

     WHEREAS, Approximately 80 percent of the children in the United States in 5th through

12th grade are online for at least 1 hour per week; and approximately 41 percent of the students in

5th through 12th grade do not share with their parents what they do on the Internet; and

     WHEREAS, Approximately 24 percent of these students have hidden their online

activities from their parents; and

     WHEREAS, Approximately 31 percent of these students have the skill to circumvent

Internet filter software; and 61 percent admit to using the Internet unsafely and inappropriately;

and

     WHEREAS, Twenty percent of middle school and high school students have met face-to-

face with someone they first met online; and

     WHEREAS, Twenty-three percent of students know someone who has been bullied

online, and 56 percent of their parents feel that online bullying of children is an issue that needs

to be addressed; and

     WHEREAS, Forty-seven percent of all parents feel that their ability to monitor and

shelter their children from inappropriate material on the Internet is limited, and 61 percent of

these parents want to be more personally involved with Internet safety; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island and Providence

Plantations hereby proclaims the month of June 2007 to be “Rhode Island Internet Safety

Month”; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this General Assembly hereby 1.) Recognizes that "National Internet

Safety Month" provides the citizens of Rhode Island with an opportunity to learn more about the

dangers of the Internet and the importance of being safe and responsible online; 2.) Commends

and recognizes statewide and community organizations for promoting awareness of the dangers

of the Internet and providing information and training that develops critical thinking and decision

making skills that are needed to use the Internet safely; and, 3.) 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 of online safety in the State of

Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of Elementary and

Secondary Education for the State of Rhode Island.

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LC03252

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