FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Editor's Contact: Linda Chaney
SafeWave.org, LLC
Tel: 1-877-ILAND5-0
Cell: 727-481-0096
Linda.c@safewave.org
Wakulla County Schools Offer iLANDS of Safety for Kids Online
First Free, Safe Children's Website.
August 6, 2008
Clearwater, FL, August 6, 2008…SafeWave LLC, creators of iLAND5.com, a
new children's internet safety network, announced today that the Wakulla
County school system has taken a proactive role in offering the secure
network to their student body.
Last year the Wakulla County school system joined the Attorney General's
cyber safety program and is now delivering that commitment within the
school walls to protect their students on line. Florida is among a long
list of Attorney Generals nationwide who look favorably on this solution
to protect children on line. iLAND5.com was launched just a little over
a year ago and currently has schools in four states, and children as far
away as the UK as part of their secure network.
iLAND5.com is the only free network to offer children ages 5-18, five,
age appropriate "iLANDS" to explore fun and educational games, enjoy
protected socializing with other children their age, homework help, art
and many other activities.
Unique to iLAND5.com is the security process that only requires a
school's verification of the child's age and identity to access the
website. Predators cannot pose as children on iLAND5.com. Once assigned
an age appropriate iLAND, children can't be exposed to inappropriate
material or conversations. The iLANDS are monitored by filters and "eyes
on" to prevent bullying or other unwelcome advances. Additionally, links
taking children off the secured iLANDS are not available. They are safe
on their iLAND, free to play, explore, learn and interact with other
children their age worldwide at home and in school.
"We welcome this partnership to help our schools overcome the threats
that sites like MySpace pose, particularly cyber bullying which is also
a disruptive force in their education" says Alan K. Rosier, Director for
Technology Services Wakulla County School Board. Mr. Rosier was
instrumental in bringing the iLAND5 network to the seven schools in the
Wakulla County School system. "The internet is an important part of a
child's learning, but we must protect them from the unsavory side of the
internet" says Mr. Rosier.
Headquartered in Pinellas County, Florida, SafeWave.org created the
iLAND5 network in response to the seriousness of online predators and
the growing scholastic and parental concern for children's online safety.
"This is not just filtering software, or a program of pre-selected
choices" says Randy Stafford, President of SafeWave.org, former school
psychologist and contributing developer of the site's content.
"iLAND5.com offers a dynamic, environment on a secured website that
promotes healthy social, emotional and intellectual development of
children – and kids think it's fun!"
Earlier this year, Florida Governor Crist signed "Jeff's Law" requiring
schools to deliver cyber bullying prevention and education programs to
their staff and students or risk loosing certain state funding. Debbie
Johnston, initiator of Jeff's Law, recently joined SafeWave.org at the
National PTA Leadership Conference to introduce iLAND5.com. "Cyber
bullying is a pandemic that must be addressed by schools and parents"
says the mother, teacher, and internet safety advocate. "I believe
iLAND5.com helps schools and parents work together to stop cyber
bullying and other on line dangers."
By age 14, 77% of children have been contacted by a predator. Only 25%
of those children tell their parents. Thousands of children a year
succumb to cyber bullying by taking their own lives.
"We applaud the proactive efforts of the Wakulla County school system to
protect kids at school. The single most important thing parents can do
to protect their kids on line at home is to put them on iLAND5.com" says
Safe Wave LLC founder and CEO Steve Schechner.
The company's mission is: To provide a free, safe and secure
collaborative network for students, protecting them from inappropriate
or harmful influences. The network promotes creative individualism, fun
educational activities, fiscal responsibilities and community
involvement in a safe and secure social environment between peers.
Visit SafeWave.org to register your child or school, or call
1-877-iLAND5-0 for more information.
Additionally, SafeWave.org is hosting a free webinar "Creating iLANDS of
Safety For Kids Online" including guest speaker Debbie Johnston on
September 25th at 2:00 p.m. EST. Reservations can be made at
RSVPInternetSafetyWebinarOne@SafeWave.org
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