Education is Key in Keeping Kids Safe in a Mobile Environment

WASHINGTON, DC (Gawkwire.com) Throughout the day, expert panelists discussed topics ranging from tools and strategies parents can use to talk to their kids to wireless privacy and legal issues. Keynote remarks were given by Federal Trade Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour, Maryland Attorney General Douglas Gansler and The Wireless Foundation President and CTIA-The Wireless Association President and CEO Steve Largent.

“The Federal Trade Commission is dedicated to protecting children online, on their home computers and on their wireless devices,” said Commissioner Harbour. “We thank FOSI and The Wireless Foundation for their leadership to put this conference together to talk about the risks our children are taking online.”

“FOSI believes in creating a culture of responsibility where kids understand the consequences of what they post and how they communicate on the web,” said FOSI CEO Stephen Balkam. “We are thrilled to have this opportunity with The Wireless Foundation to discuss the various challenges we are seeing and determine how we can best teach kids to make wise choices online.”

"Almost every day brings another technology that connects us to the Internet and to each other faster and easier than ever before," said Maryland Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler. "As a member of the law enforcement community, we are focused on public safety and making sure that kids and their parents have the tools they need to be safe on the Internet."

“Wireless technology is an invaluable tool for millions of Americans to stay connected to friends and family,” said Steve Largent, President of The Wireless Foundation and President and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association. “As more and more of our nation’s youth are using wireless devices, it’s important to make the mobile environment as safe as possible. I’m pleased that the wireless industry has voluntarily provided parents with the tools and information needed to encourage responsible and safe use of cell phones.”

To download materials to help parents talk with their kids about online safety, please visit: www.wirelessfoundation.com/GetWise.