NEW: Cicilline to Host Online Safety Forum in Providence Tonight
Monday, March 12, 2012
U.S. Congressman David Cicilline will host a conversation with representatives from Facebook and parents, teachers and students on ways to promote online safety for children this Monday.
Cicilline has invited area teachers, students, and parents to join him at Nathan Bishop Middle School at 101 Sessions Street in Providence at 6:30 PM. The discussion will also be streamed live through Cicilline’s official Facebook page, at http://www.facebook.com/CongressmanDavidCicilline
“While the Internet has expanded tools for conversation and the free exchange of ideas, we should always keep in mind the importance of ensuring that children are able to access these resources safely,” said Cicilline. “I am pleased that Facebook will be joining us for tonight’s discussion, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to talk about these very important issues with Rhode Island parents.”
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTOnline safety has emerged as an important issue in recent years, especially following numerous suicides that were later linked to online harassment. The Rhode Island Department of Health also reported last year that 16% of Rhode Island high school students were bullied in 2009. In addition, a 2010 study from the Cyberbullying Research Center, found that as many as one in five middle-school students has been impacted by cyberbullying during their life.
Cicilline has made student safety a focus of his first term in Congress – cosponsoring several measures to prevent bullying and harassment, including the Safe Schools Improvement Act, the Bullying Prevention and Intervention Act, and bipartisan Student Non-Discrimination Act. Last year, Cicilline welcomed Brandon Greene, a 13-year old Burrillville student and the Founder and President of A Better Community, to his Washington office to discuss ways to stop bullying.
Brooke Oberwetter, Associate Manager for Policy Communications at Facebook, will present initiatives that Facebook has undertaken to promote online safety for young people. Following the presentation, Cicilline and Oberwetter will take questions on ways to keep children safe online.
