Ome Million Kids Safe Campaign

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN INITIATIVE www.1millionsafe.org

One Million Kids Safe

July 2008

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OUR MISSION The objective of the 1 Million Kids Safe National Campaign Initiative is to make a positive impact in the lives of at least one million children, mainly by protecting them from the danger of online predatory activity.

Through monitoring, mentoring, education and training, the initiative is to reduce online crime by at least thirty percent and to create a world of online responsibility. 1 Million Safe aims to create a sense of unity between the private sector, government agencies, local communities, family and religious organizations, for the sole purpose of internet safety for children.

Table of Contents Introduction .......................................................................4 The Need for Armed Children ..........................................4 The Need For Active Caretakers .......................................4 4 Point Contact ..................................................................5

DOORWAY ...................................................................6 Technology ....................................................................6 Television ......................................................................6

DECOY .........................................................................7 Target ............................................................................ 7 Technique ..................................................................... 7

DELUSION....................................................................8 Truth ..............................................................................8 Trust ...............................................................................8

DESTRUCTION .............................................................9 Terror .............................................................................9 Trauma...........................................................................9

Summary of Findings .......................................................10 Statistics Proposed Action Four Primary Components: Grass Roots Faith Based Youth Awareness (Rally) Campaign Website Proposed Agencies and Affiliates

INTRODUCTION

ccording to the 2006 PEW INTERNET &

A

nature of internet crimes and the number of children

AMERICAN LIFE PROJECT, the findings

victimized are creating complex challenges for law

submitted to the House Subcommittee On

enforcement agencies and victim service providers,

Telecommunications and the Internet stated that

with regard to investigating these crimes, gathering

over 87 percent of children of ages 12-17 occupy large

evidence, identifying and apprehending offenders and

amounts of their time surfing the internet. In 2006,

assisting child victims and their families. 1 Million Safe

those percentages amounted to nearly 21 million

proposes a plan to address the need of better “arming”

children, with at least 11 million teens going online

children.

daily. Blogging, online chat rooms, social networking and all types of digital material have consumed the lives

2) THE NEED FOR ACTIVE CARETAKERS

of America’s youth. One source of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, Teens and Social Media, says the

By nature, children are rebellious and they demand

use of social media gains a greater foothold in teen life,

privacy. They are not in favor of parents and caretakers

as email continues to lose its luster.

who actively involve themselves in “their” lives.

There are two needs that 1 Million Safe aims to address:

But as Louis J. Freeh, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation has stated, “Our children are our Nation’s most valuable asset…and are the most

1) THE NEED FOR ARMED CHILDREN

vulnerable members of society. Protecting our children against the fear of crime and from becoming victims

The U.S. Department of Justice details the

of crime must be a national priority.” – A Parent’s

vulnerability of those targeted by internet predators.

Guide to Internet Safety. Parents and caretakers MUST

Strangers and intrafamilial offenders find that unarmed

become more proactive in protecting the children from

children and teenagers are the perfect marks for

internet corruption. 1 Million Safe proposes to partner

criminal conduct (…find more under the 4 Point

with foundations that push for more regulations to

Contact heading – Decoy). Cyberspace has become

protect children online. 1 Million Safe has developed

a safe haven for sexual predators, pedophiles and

viable means and techniques of training and mentoring

even those participating in human trafficking. The

caretakers on how to better protect their kids.

U.S. Department of Justice further confirms that the

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One Million Kids Safe

4-POINT CONTACT

I

nternet predators are sophisticated, and they

Decoy – what predators use to lure the children into

are becoming even savvier. Their approach to

danger.

vulnerable children resembles gangrene. If not

checked in its early stages, this infection will continue

1) Target – predators target the children’s soul (i.e.

to kill more living cells. It is subtle and slow, but

mind, emotions and affections).

extremely deadly. Internet predators mirror this

2) Technique – online criminals use the victims’

infection, as they creep into the lives of children. In

personal information against them.

our findings, we have discovered what 1 Million Safe labels as the 4-point contact.

 Doorway – this is the entry point. The two obvious

Delusion

– how predators dupe children into

engaging in fantasy & fiction.

and most effective means of influencing vulnerable

1) Truth – cyberspace is under the guise of being

children…

friendly and understanding.

2) Trust - predators build trust by being what the

1) Technology – computers, Ipods, cell phones, video

children long for.

games, instant messaging and many other forms of technology provide access.

Destruction – suicide, rape and even murder.

2) Television – even scripted programming has the inherent danger of subliminal messaging.

1) Terror – internet stalking, cyber-stalking, net-bang, etc…

2) Trauma – suicide, rape, murder, etc…

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THE DOORWAY – entry point TECHNOLOGY has grown and has dramatically changed

TELEVISION is a subtler way of seizing the minds

our lives. Years ago, we had the radio, television and

of the young. Though no longer as influential as the

newspaper as our primary sources of information and

internet, television still provokes higher internet use.

news. Very few families had a computer. In today’s

For example, in scripted television, subtle images of

world, we may find a workstation in each room of the

rebellion in characters such as Bart Simpson and the

home (cf. According to the U.S. Department of Justice,

Bundy Kids (Married with Children) encourages a lack

at the end of 1998, more than 40% of all American

of respect for parents and for every other figure that is

homes had computers, with 25% of them having

in authority. Scripted television has also become more

internet access). They are prevalent in businesses,

seductive. And after certain hours, some material is

schools, libraries, banks and even airports. The World

more graphic. So, internet pornography is the climax

Wide Web provides instant access to news, reference

to many of the images children receive subtly through

information, shopping, banking, stock trading and even

television programming.

applications for employment. At the click of a button, one has access to a wealth of information.

1 Million Safe will help provide education and training on counterattacking the predator’s game (…

Unfortunately, criminals have the same access.

more under 1 Million Safe’s Proposed Action). With

And they use modern technology to prey on innocent

so many millions of children online, it is critical that

children. The internet is a wonderful tool, but a

parents, law enforcement officials, prosecutors and

dangerous one as well. Predators no longer need to ride

victim service providers know as much as possible

through neighborhoods, or near elementary schools,

about internet crime and about what measures they

shopping malls and parks to find unwary victims.

should take to combat it.

Today, with millions of children online, cyberspace has (…see Proposed Action )

become a buffet for ravenous wolves.

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One Million Kids Safe

THE DECOY – the lure into danger TARGET

–

online

predators

target

children’s weaknesses. They aim for the mind, the emotions and the affections.

Many youth struggle with their desire for love and acceptance.

Couple that desire with issues of rebellion and independence, and the predator has free reign. If an online predator can make a child “feel” loved, then the predator undoubtedly wins the child’s affection. A child who is eager for attention, who is trusting, naïve,

The internet chat room now has more authority in the lives of millions of America’s children,

A child who is eager for attention, who is trusting, naive, curious and adventuresome is the ideal victim for the predator

and authority figures are losing ground at a blistering rate. Predators use the “mirror” technique to lure children into trouble. Criminals use the children’s personal information against them. Internet sites like Myspace post all the information a predator needs. The predator simply mirrors that information and becomes whatever the victim wants him/her to be.

curious and adventuresome is the ideal victim for the predator. By nurturing the children’s emotions and affections, online predators are

1 Million Safe will provide education, training

able to influence them in the most dangerous kind of

and resources to children, instructing them on the

way.

importance of online responsibility. Through seminars and awareness rallies, 1 Million Safe will tutor and

TECHNIQUE – online criminals are masters of displacement. Through underhanded tactics, the

instruct kids on the appropriate and the safest use of the internet

predators replace the voice of the parents. What the online “friend” communicates carries more weight

(…see Proposed Action )

than what the child’s mother and/or father imparts.

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THE DELUSION - duping children into engaging in fantasy & fiction.

TRUTH – cyberspace is under the guise of being

TRUST - predators build trust by being what the

“friendly.” Myspace and other sites promote the idea

children long for. The U.S. Justice Department OVC

that cyberspace is safe for children. However, the idea

Bulletin proposed ways that predators attempt to gain

of safety is the fantasy. It is fiction. The gruesome truth

the trust of those they aim to exploit. Again, they use

lies beneath the so-called “friendly” activity

personal information to target a child victim. Predators initiate online “friendships” with a young person,

that happens in chat rooms and virtual reality. Many of these “activities” are horrid in nature. Unsuspecting children chat

who

partners

believe are

their

“friends”

are completely unaware that predators are seeking them out to

Predators build trust by being what the children long for.

groom them for criminal purposes,

sharing hobbies and interests. This activity may lead to an exchange of pictures and gifts. Like the traditional predator, the online predator is willing to spend considerable time befriending and grooming the child. All this in attempt to build trust, so the predator can eventually get what he/she wants from the child.

personal and commercial. Criminals use the internet to produce and distribute child pornography. And despite

To reiterate, 1 Million Safe will provide education,

Congress enacting the Child Pornography Prevention

training and resources to children, instructing them

Act of 1996, cyberspace continues to exploit children.

on the importance of online responsibility. Through

No child is safe from online perils. The Chicago Tribune

seminars and awareness rallies, 1 Million Safe will tutor

reports that the site Second Life is an example. Children

and instruct kids on the appropriate and the safest use

are at risk of being sexually exploited.

of the internet. (…see Proposed Action )

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One Million Kids Safe

THE DESTRUCTION – the result.

TERROR – there is a plethora of vivid examples of

TRAUMA – one of the most traumatic and bizarre

cyber-bullying, internet stalking, net banging, etc.

incidents concerning internet bullying was the death of

Many of which have led to murder.

Megan Meier, a 13 year old who committed

Bullying is intentional aggressive

suicide because of a cruel cyber hoax. The

behavior

repeated

over

time.

Vulgar, mean and threatening messages all fall under the category of cyber-bullying. Another means that internet criminals use to terrorize their victims is posting sensitive and private information about another person. Children are exposed to this form of internet crime through chat rooms, blogs, web pages, text or digital imaging messages sent to cell phones and emails. According to the Sound Opinions

Message

Board,

in

August, 2006, through Myspace, four rapists lured a girl to a house and raped her. She woke up two miles away after they dumped her in an alley.

Parents, law enforcement agencies, religious institutions and especially online communities MUST be radical when it comes to protecting children from sexual predators and cyberspace tormentors.

story made national headlines. A Myspace related suicide. It further confirms the multitude of dangers young children face when engaging in cyberspace activity.

Parents,

law

enforcement

agencies,

religious institutions and especially online communities MUST be radical when it comes to protecting children from sexual predators and cyberspace tormentors. The traumatic events that happen because of online activity are painful and becoming more frequent. Countermeasures must be in place to keep the kids safe.

1 Million Kids Safe National Campaign Initiative accepts the responsibility of drafting programs and projects to give children a better understanding of the dangers of internet exchange. Education and training is crucial. Many children are naïve to the traps the predators are setting for them.

(…see Proposed Action )

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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

W

STATISTICS

hy the necessity of a national campaign?

(U.S. Department of Justice Survey Results, as far back

America is in a national crisis. And

as 2001)

not only is the crisis in America, but

internet crimes are occurring all over the world. The FBI is not the only organization chasing pedophiles and

 One in 5 youth received a sexual approach or solicitation over the Internet in the past year.

predators. INTERPOL has its share of case studies. A

 One in 33 youth received an aggressive sexual

national campaign is not only a good suggestion, it is a

solicitation in the past year. This means a predator asked a young person to meet somewhere, called a young person on the phone, and/or sent the young person correspondence, money, or gifts through the U.S. Postal Service.

requirement. It takes an entire village to raise one child.

Therefore, it takes an entire country to protect millions of children who spend numerous hours online.

Internet crimes are at an all time high, and the

 One in 4 youth had an unwanted exposure in

statistics are steadily climbing. Children will not have

the past year to pictures of naked people or people having sex.

protection if there is no legitimate concern and if there are no countermeasures in place. Predators are the poison. 1 Million Kids Safe National Campaign Initiative



One in 17 youth was threatened or harassed in the past year.

is a practical antidote. The extent of the complex and increasingly prevalent phenomenon of Internet-based

 Most young people who reported these incidents

crimes against children is staggering and action can no

were not very disturbed about them, but a few found them distressing.

longer be placed on the backburner. 1 Million Kids Safe National Campaign Initiative will endeavor to change many of the deplorable statistics of Internet crimes against children.



Only a fraction of all episodes was reported to authorities such as the police, an Internet service provider, or a hotline.

 About 25 percent of the youth who encountered a sexual approach or solicitation told a parent. Almost 40 percent of those reporting an unwanted exposure to sexual material told a parent.



Only 17 percent of youth and 11 percent of parents could name a specific authority, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), CyberTipline, or an Internet service provider, to which they could report an Internet crime, although more indicated they were vaguely aware of such authorities.



In households with home Internet access, onethird of parents said they had filtering or blocking software on their computers.

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One Million Kids Safe

Other Findings

traveler cases. The survey also revealed no incidences

(U.S. Justice Department, Survey Results, 2001)

of completed Internet seduction or sexual exploitation, including trafficking of child pornography. Despite

T

he survey results confirm what is already

the findings of this survey, law enforcement agencies

known: although the Internet is a wonderfully

report increasing incidents of Internet crimes against

fun and educational tool, it can also be very

children.

dangerous. According to the survey, one in five youth who regularly use the Internet received sexual

Crimes Against Children Research Center reports:

solicitations or approaches during a 1-year period.

The survey also found that offenses and offenders are

Clinicians and researchers have paid a great deal of

more diverse than previously thought. In addition to

attention recently to various forms of child victimization.

pedophiles, other predators use the Internet. Nearly

These studies, however, have tended to focus on one or a

half (48 percent) of the offenders were other youth, and

small number of types of victimization. This is a problem

one-fourth of the aggressive episodes were initiated

for a number of reasons: It does not show a full picture

by females. Further, 77 percent of targeted youth

of the victimizations that young people experience,

were age 14 or older窶馬ot an age characteristically

instead focusing on one or more while excluding may

targeted by pedophiles. Although the youth stopped

others; it fails to show the interrelations between types

most solicitations by leaving the Web site, logging off,

of victimizations; and research has tended to focus on

or blocking the sender, the survey confirmed current

older juveniles (teens and occasionally grade-schoolers),

thinking that some youth are particularly vulnerable to

thus neglecting the earlier years that would give a true

online advances.

picture of the arc of child victimization.

Most youth reported not being distressed by sexual

CCRC researchers conducted the Developmental

exposures online. However, a significant 23 percent

Victimization Survey to gather data on a range of

reported being very or extremely upset, 20 percent

victimizations from birth until adulthood over the

reported being very or extremely embarrassed, and 20

course of one year. Among the findings were:

percent reported at least one symptom of stress. These

窶｢ Just more than half of youth (530 per 1000)

findings point to the need for more research on the effects

experienced a physical assault. The highest rate of

on youth of unwanted exposure to sexual materials and

physical assault victimization occurred during between

the indicators of potentially exploitative adult-youth

ages six and 12.

relationships. The large number of solicitations that

窶｢ One in 12 (82 of 1000) youth experienced sexual

went unreported by youth and families was of particular

victimization, including sexual assault (32 per 1000)

interest. This underreporting is attributed to feelings

and attempted or completed rape (22 per 1000).

of embarrassment or guilt, ignorance that the incident

窶｢ Child maltreatment was experience by a little less

was a reportable act, ignorance of how to report it, and

than 1/7 of youth (138 per 1000). The study divided

perhaps resignation to a certain level of inappropriate

maltreatment into five categories (physical abuse, sexual

behavior in the world.

abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and family abduction)

Possibly due to the nature and small sample size of the survey, there were no reported incidences of

of which emotional abuse (name calling or denigration by an adult) was most frequent in occurrence.

One Million Kids Safe

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PROPOSED ACTION

ď …

Four Primary Components

1. Grass Roots: 1 Million Kids Safe National Campaign

3. Youth Awareness Rallies: 1 Million Safe will host

at its heart is a grass roots initiative to reach caretakers on

several Awareness Rallies for youth around the country,

an intimate level and educate them on the importance

promoting online responsibility. These Awareness

of protecting our nation’s greatest investment, our

Rallies will target youth of every race, ethnicity,

children. The Grass Roots Component consists of:

culture, gender and social class. Youth will be engaged by workshops, panels, forums, celebrities and concerts

A. Direct Sale T.I.P.S Certificate (Computer

all stressing the importance of online responsibility.

Monitoring Software) B. Child Safety Parties (Fun, educational event for

4. Campaign Website: 1 Million Safe Campaign Website will act as the conduit between community,

parents.)

state agency and federal government with regards to child internet safety. The website equips parents with 2. Faith Based: 1 Million Safe will partner with

a vast variety of resources, training and information to

churches and organizations around the country to

aid in keeping their kids safe from the dangers that lurk

provide training and education to church leaders,

on the internet. In addition, the website will be the

youth leaders and parents. The Faith Based component

voice of change as parents utilize it to discuss current

consists of:

government policy and promote new policies that affect and protect our children online.

A. I Surf Safe Kit (Comprehensive training kit to equip clergy.)

B. I Surf Safe Conference (All inclusive parent/leader workshop)

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One Million Kids Safe

PROPOSED AGENCIES / AFFILIATES (not exclusive)



Federal/Law Enforcement Agencies



Media

ICAC

CNN News

ICCC

Dateline – 20/20

* National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

Russell Simmons / Hip Hop Summit

John Walsh – “America’s Most Wanted” – “Take

Streaming Faith

Charge”

Myspace

U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) U.S. Marshal Service



Entertainment Affiliates

Interpol Virtual Global Taskforce

Disney

National Cyber Security Alliance

Universal Studios

Homeland Security

Harpo Productions

Federal Trade Commission

Overbrook Entertainment – Will Smith / James Lassiter

Office of Justice Program Internet Education Foundation



Non-profit Organizations



Corporate Affiliates

Big Brothers & Big Sisters

Morgan Stanley

Boys & Girls Club of America

Microsoft

Megan Meier Foundation

Bank of America

Make A Wish

Wachovia

Magic Johnson Foundation

Coke-Cola

Bill Gates Foundation

Publix



Other Organizations

Chick Fila Burger King MacDonald’s

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www.1millionsafe.org 1-877-593-2626