Family Online Safety Institute Applauds Congressional Efforts to Protect Children on the Internet

WASHINGTON - October 1, 2008 — In response to the passage of Senate Bill 1492, which directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to build a public awareness campaign to promote online safety tactics to protect children on the Internet, while also setting up a working group on the issue, CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), Stephen Balkam, made the following statement:

"I applaud Congress on passing this very important legislation focused on protecting our children in an often all-encompassing online world. The House and Senate have worked together to establish a national plan to keep our children safe online. We hope that this national awareness campaign will better educate parents and teachers to give our young students guidance on the Internet. Additionally, the creation of an Online Safety and Technology working group will bring together the key leaders from industry, non-profits and other interested groups devoted to this issue to tackle the moving target of protecting kids online. As a leader in this field, FOSI believes Congress is taking the necessary leadership to keep our kids and families safe online."

The FOSI Annual Conference Safe at any Speed: Rules, Tools & Public Policies to Keep Kids Safe Online will be held in Washington, DC on December 11, 2008 at the Newseum.