Office of the Attorney General: Kansas Attorney General unveils NetSafeKansas.com
- Six announces new cyber safety website

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

July 10, 2008

July 10, 2008 -- Attorney General Steve Six unveiled today a new Internet safety website: http://NetSafeKansas.com. He made the announcement while visiting Boys & Girls Clubs in Topeka and Kansas City.

"We know education is the key to preventing crime and keeping our kids safe. We know from experiences in our state-as well as across the country-that the more we raise awareness about online threats the greater the chance we can prevent crime," Six said. "Today, I'm here to announce the Kansas Attorney General's new Internet safety and education website: http://NetSafeKansas.com."

The new website is geared towards kids, teens, parents and consumers to increase Internet safety education. By giving Kansans additional knowledge about the threats they face online, Six hopes to prevent internet crime in Kansas.

The new website contains information for kids and teens that focuses on the new threats of cyberbullying, cyberstalking and social networking websites. This new resource will help teach kids to protect themselves online and how to report improper or illegal activity on the Internet.

NetSafeKansas also gives parents the tools to better protect their children online. As a parent of four young kids, Six knows how important it is for parents to know how to protect their children on the Internet. This website provides simple safety tips that anyone can follow.

"These days, kids many times know more than their parents about the Internet, social networking websites and instant messaging," Six said. "Our goal was to give parents tools to educate themselves and their children about online threats."

NetSafeKansas also has a complete section devoted to issues and threats consumers may encounter on the Internet. From online auctions to identity theft to online lotteries and phishing scams, this new website teaches consumers how to spot scams and protect themselves.

"These days, consumers can use the Internet to shop, bank, pay bills, and much more. With more transactions taking place online, the opportunities for fraud, scams, and identity theft are growing," Six said. "NetSafeKansas provides resources to help consumers identify scams quickly."

Education is the best way to keep Kansas children safe, give parents the tools they need and help consumers stay away from scams.

"As new threats emerge, http://NetSafeKansas.com will adapt and expand to protect our families on the computer," Six said. "Criminals are finding new and complex ways to use the Internet to find victims, scam seniors, or steal money. Through this website, my office and our Cyber Crime Unit will educate Kansans about online threats and prevent crime in our state."

In late February, Six visited another Internet safety training program in Topeka at Jay Shideler Elementary School. At that visit, he announced plans to expand the Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit. He asked lawmakers to join the fight against Internet crime and provide additional resources to help prevent cyber crime and protect Kansas children.

Unfortunately, the legislature did not appropriate funding for the program. Even without additional resources, Six followed through on his commitment to protect Kansas families from cyber crime.

"My office is doing everything we can within existing resources to prevent Internet crime," Six said. "But in the near future, it will be absolutely critical for lawmakers to make a substantial commitment to fighting online predators and other Internet crimes."

To learn more, visit http://www.netsafekansas.com/ or the Attorney General's website at http://www.ksag.org/.