Tips for a safer Internet

I'd like to thank you for the March 6 story, "Missing Teens Phone Home" and highlighting the need for families to discuss online safety. I'd like to offer some additional resources to help your readers trying to address this issue.

Of the 24 million children online, one in five children has received an online sexual solicitation, according to a Department of Justice survey. Two-thirds of these solicitations are aimed at teen girls.

Well-intentioned warnings from parents about stranger danger don't immunize your daughter off-line or online from contact with potential predators. Teen girls often don't associate the seemingly friendly, flattering and supportive older guys they meet online with someone who means them harm. And, they don't think it can happen to them.

To help parents and teens realize the potential dangers that exist on the Internet, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Ad Council have an ongoing public service campaign built around the tag line "Don't Believe the Type" that is placing television, radio, online and print ads.

You can preview ads on our website at www.cybertipline.com and find safety tips for parents and teens.

Your readers may also find our free publications about Internet safety for parents and teens helpful when talking to their families about this important issue.

To request free materials, call NCMEC's 24-hour toll-free hotline at 1.800.THE.LOST or visit www.missingkids.com.

Thank you for highlighting this important issue. It takes all of us working together to keep teens safer online. Nancy McBride National Safety Director, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children