Here is an excerpt 

INTRODUCTION

The Internet is no longer a novelty. It is an established presence in many, many people’s lives. Having grown from a computer-based ‘fad’ to an integral part of mobile phone technology, the Internet has become a must-have item for not only business people and students, but just plain folks.

Unfortunately, the Internet, available to virtually anyone, is also home to a whole new type of predator. No one is exempt from problems that 

could arise from this type of predator. Identity theft, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, all terms relatively new to users of the World Wide Web, have 

become items of global concern. Because of these concerns, yet another term has been coined, cyber security.  People need to learn how to keep 

themselves and their children safe online.

Digital Defense is partnering with the Alamo ISSA (Information Systems Security Association) during National Cyber Security Awareness month to provide community education forums at no cost to the public.

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) October 12, 2011

Digital Defense, Inc. (DDI), a San Antonio-based corporation and leading provider of Information Security solutions, is partnering with the Alamo ISSA (Information Systems Security Association) during National Cyber Security Awareness month to provide community education forums at no cost to the public. DDI will host two of these informational sessions:

Protecting Yourself Online – Wednesday, October 19th, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

This session is designed to highlight risks associated with online computer use with real world examples and recommendations for testing and resolving computer security issues.

Child Safe – Thursday, October 20th, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

A program designed to educate and provide a place that parents can come to learn about protecting themselves and their families from online threats, both as they exist today and where they are going tomorrow.

“With the arrival of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, we thought it would be a great idea to launch educational programs related to computer security at no charge to help educate citizens on how to better protect themselves online,” stated Matt Hajda, president of Alamo ISSA. “These sessions, along with the mentoring of students for the CyberPatriot Competition, all align with our overarching mission to educate and expand the knowledge and skills of ISSA members in information security. We appreciate DDI’s participation in helping to bring further awareness to the importance of information security education.”

Digital Defense CEO and President, Larry Hurtado added, “We are pleased to be a play a role in heightening awareness around cyber security. The October forums align with San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro’s recent proclamation which recognizes National Cyber Security Awareness month and encourages government, research, and business organizations to engage in activities to educate citizens of the importance of implementing proper computer and network security procedures and online safety practices.”

To learn more about the cyber security awareness events, visit the Alamo ISSA website.

About Alamo ISSA Chapter

The Alamo ISSA Chapter of ISSA was founded in 2000 and meets monthly in San Antonio, providing members with education and networking opportunities. Meetings are open to the public, and schedules are available at http://alamo.issa.org.

About ISSA

ISSA, http://www.issa.org, is the largest international professional association for information security professionals. With 10,000 members in 70 countries and a network of 152 chapters, ISSA is dedicated to expanding the knowledge and expertise of information security professionals and the development and evolution of industry practices. Members are consistently recognized as experts on critical issues in the field and are seen as important resources for small businesses, global enterprises, and government organizations.

About Digital Defense

Digital Defense, Inc. (DDI) is a leading provider of security governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) solutions. Our unique combination of managed, cloud-based services, gives our clients maximum flexibility in the implementation of their security programs. We provide the insight necessary for organizations to protect their critical customer and business information while allowing them to focus on their business, rather than dedicate resources to network security. DDI clients enjoy greater visibility and management insight of their enterprise-wide GRC programs using DDI’s proprietary Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery platforms and assessment tools. For more information about Digital Defense, please visit our web site at http://www.ddifrontline.com or contact us at 888.273.1412.

Reader Contact Information

Digital Defense, Inc., 9000 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, Texas, 78217

Phone – 210.822.2645, Fax – 210.822.9216

http://www.ddifrontline.com

###

Digital Defense and the Shield Logo are Registered Service Marks of Digital Defense, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Patty Koebele
Digital Defense, Inc.
210.582.6128
Email Information

Police said Bill Stanton, who declined to say who hired him, won't have access to any case files related to their search for Lisa Irwin because he isn't law enforcement. He also doesn't appear to be licensed as a private investigator in Missouri as required when acting in that capacity.

"He will have access to anything the general public has access to," Kansas City police spokesman Capt. Steve Young said.

When asked by the Associated Press if he has handled a missing child case, Stanton said he couldn't detail cases involving children, then responded "Google me" when asked to discuss any of his past cases. He said he has worked as a consultant for "major media organizations," and the website for a consulting firm that lists him as a founding partner said he was a New York police officer before moving into private investigative work.

Lisa's parents, Deborah Bradley and Jeremy Irwin, reported their daughter missing early Oct. 4, saying she disappeared from her crib at their single-story home sometime overnight as her mother slept in a nearby room.

Hundreds of local, state and federal investigators have been looking for the child ever since, scouring through hundreds of tips and repeatedly searching the family's neighborhood, nearby woods, sewers and a landfill. But police said they have no suspects or solid leads.

Stanton said a wealthy "benefactor" connected to a family member asked him to get involved and acknowledged the family didn't hire him. Stanton said he would fly in other people on Thursday, but wouldn't elaborate.

"I am hopeful this child is safe and alive," Stanton said. "I don't want to make this about me."He said he would be managing any media inquiries directed at the family, which family members confirmed. They said he had their support.

On Wednesday, detectives using all-terrain vehicles and tracking dogs searched a heavily wooded area a few blocks from the home, but it turned up nothing. Young said more than 40 detectives, along with the FBI and other police departments, are working the case.

What Stanton could offer the investigation is unclear.  Ernie Allen, president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, said his organization doesn't work with private investigators and had not heard of Stanton.

"Families in these situations are desperate and feel the need to do anything they can possibly do," Allen said. "I hope he helps them."

Jimmie Mesis, editor-in-chief of New Jersey-based PI Magazine, a trade magazine for private investigators, said he has heard of Stanton. He said Stanton's involvement could be troublesome if he interferes with witnesses, but he also could keep a national spotlight on the case — even if that attention is focused on "Wild Bill," a moniker for which Stanton has become popular.

"With Bill, one benefit, because he has celebrity status as a private investigator, the media is going to be interested in seeing what he's doing," Mesis said. Later, he added, "He's putting his reputation on the line, too."

from: Kid Safe

I have found that even I, Kid Safe blogger, have become a little jaded to all the daily reports of missing children, then the next day they are found safe and sound by someone within the family usually taken by another family member and just a "lack of communication" or worse news that for some reason i choose not to add to this site. 

Today, this was a revelation for me.  If I am "just a blogger" and have this attitude, what must the police think when they get these calls?  The investigators that deal with this on a daily basis.  I know for me the whole Casey Anthony tragedy really upset me in a different way than the Amber Dubois case effected me.  You see I lived in Escondido when Amber Dubois went missing and I was working at Kid Safe and was HORRIFIED that they would not issue an "Amber Alert", they did not take the case seriously "for reasons unknown to the public".  I was deeply entrenched in the case, it was personal for me.  I lived and worked in the community and I take my position at CEN very seriously.  I felt that if "we" couldn't even get an Amber Alert issued in our own home town how could we proclaim to be the national source for Child Safety?  

I wrote more posts on the her case than any other case in the last 5 years.  I was asked to remove several of my posts, as they were derogatory towards the Escondido Police Department and it was creating a "negative" affect on the case.  So i acquiesced, against my personal feelings and judgement, "for the better good" of the company.  And NO the requests to take the posts down did not come from within CEN and CEN management left the decision up to me.   i just wanted her found.  I wanted her case taken seriously, I wanted her parents to have some peace, I was angry for them and obviously I took it all very personally.  

So when I read this report today, I remembered reading about it last week when I had chosen NOT to post it because I "assumed" the child would be found the next day and by the time the KidSafe readers got around to reading it, it would be old news or worse, I would have a stronger "story" to write about.

Then I got to the last paragraph of this report and really started to question myself, my commitment to keeping children safe, what constitutes a "story" with me, the "Content Manager" of KidSafe.com. 

Below is an excerpt from the AP "story" released today which I have scheduled to post before this one that I am writing now.  I decided to separate the posts because I don't want my personal story to effect the readers mind of the missing child report.  All Missing Child Reports MUST be taken seriously, Must be judged as TRUE "Kidnapping's" until found otherwise, by the police, the governments, the schools, the extended family, the friends AND the media, including "bloggers" like myself who proclaim to be concerned with the safety of Children.  

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A New York-based security consultant who said he was hired by a wealthy benefactor to help search for a missing baby in Kansas City got little response Wednesday from police who have been looking for the child for more than a week……….

…………."With Bill, one benefit, because he has celebrity status as a private investigator, the media is going to be interested in seeing what he's doing," Mesis said. Later, he added, "He's putting his reputation on the line, too."

A year after the Amber Dubois Kidnapping, she was found, sadly, not alive, and not a story I like to talk about very much. 

from: Kid Safe

2,500 people attend Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's national conference

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — More than 2,500 people will gather this week to discuss juvenile justice, delinquency prevention, and victimization at the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) conference, Children's Justice and Safety: Unite, Build, Lead, fromOctober 12-14, 2011, in National Harbor, Md.  

"This conference provides a snapshot of juvenile justice today," said Jeff Slowikowski, OJJDP Acting Administrator.  "During the next three days, we will present the latest research and evaluation findings, examine dominant and emerging issues in children's justice and safety, and develop a vision to meet the challenges that lie ahead."

The conference theme "Unite, Build, Lead" corresponds with the three days of the conference.  Day 1: Unite, focuses on bringing together the many fields of interest in juvenile justice, Day 2: Build, focuses on structuring effective programs for children and youth, and Day 3: Lead, features federal leaders addressing the future of juvenile justice. The conference's workshops will address an array of timely issues, including:

Anti-gang strategies Children's exposure to violence Disproportionate minority contact Emergency planning for juvenile facilities Girls on the margin Family and youth engagement Law enforcement partnerships	Mentoring Protecting and advocating for children Putting research into practice Substance abuse Tribal youth issues Truancy and dropping out Youth in custody

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Eric Holder, and General Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army, will deliver remarks about the importance of mentoring the children of military families on Friday, October 14.  Other participating Justice Department officials include Deputy Attorney GeneralJames Cole, Associate Attorney General Thomas Perrelli, and Assistant Attorney General Laurie O. Robinson.

Conference speakers include: R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; Congressmen Chaka Fattah, Christopher S. Murphy, and Robert C. Scott; Elizabeth Smart, advocate and president of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation; Ernie Allen, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; Joe Torre, Major League Baseball legend and Chairman of the Board for the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation; and the Rev. Gregory Boyle, Homeboy Industries.

OJJDP supports states and communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs and to improve the juvenile justice system so it protects public safety, holds offenders accountable, and provides treatment and rehabilitative services for juveniles and families.  For more information on OJJDP, visit: www.ojjdp.gov.  

The conference agenda is available at: http://www.ojjdp.gov/2011conference/2011ConferenceProgram.pdf.

OJP, headed by Assistant Attorney General Laurie O. Robinson, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has six components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. More information about OJP can be found at www.ojp.gov.

SOURCE Department of Justice

If you have an opinion about this please contact your local representatives and make your voice known.  How can our government represent us (the citizens) if they don't know what our opinions are!  Get involved, Stay informed and Interact – It's not only our right as Americans but our responsibility as citizens and parents!

from: Kid Safe

Under a new European Union (EU) edict on toy safety, unsupervised children below the age of eight will no longer be permitted to blow up balloons due to choking hazards, according to Britain’s Daily Telegraph. Balloons and other toys — including magnetic fishing games, toy lipsticks, and recorders — have been added to the expanding catalog of Euro Zone regulations that are further empowering the region’s nanny state government.

The directive’s official guidance reads: "For latex balloons there must be a warning that children under eight years must be supervised and broken balloons should be discarded." Further, the EU’s legislation uplifts restrictions on the loudness of noisy toys, like rattles or musical instruments; likewise, all teddy bears marketed for children under three-years-old must be fully washable, as to prevent spreading of diseases and infections. Critics note that such regulatory authority means the popular "Lots O’ Hugging Bear" will be facing a ban if it does not undergo strict and costly new guidelines.

Despite their decades of entertainment, party toys such as small whistles and magnetic fishing games will be regulated, and possibly banned, because of small parts or dangerous chemicals that are allegedly hazardous to children’s health. Indeed, the popular "paper tongue" whistle blowers, commonly used at birthday parties, are now "unsafe" for all children under the age of 14, due to the possibility of a child swallowing and choking on pieces of the whistle.

An EU official insisted that the government’s safety experts know best, while an EU spokesman asserted that the "safety standards have been agreed by the UK together with the other EU member states in order to prevent every parent’s worst nightmare." Another official stated, "You might say that small children have been blowing up balloons for generations, but not anymore and they will be safer for it."

Frank Furedi, a sociology professor at the renowned University of Kent, signaled that toy safety bans are a burgeoning legislative trend to micro-manage children’s lives, while discounting their right to learn, explore, and develop both socially and independently. "Toys and activities, such as blowing up balloons, are part and parcel of the type of children’s play that helps them become independent and self-reliant," Furedi averred. "These bans diminish the experience, both of having fun and learning, by turning play into a danger zone with rules that stifle life and adventure for children."

Paul Nuttall, who retains a seat on the European Parliament’s consumer safety committee, called the EU’s authority a "kill joy" for children’s well-being. "I would say that this is crackers but [I’m] sure children are banned from using them too. EU party poopers should not be telling families how to blow up balloons," he contended.

But such regulatory power not only robs children of their freedoms, but also the parents of EU children. Must the government circumvent a parent’s authority in protecting their children, critics ask? Is preaching to parents about the dangers of eating marbles really necessary, or for that matter, judicially moral?

Although EU officials have noted that governmental authorities cannot regulate how products are used in the home, the mere act of regulating will manipulate what retail stores are able to supply, as certain products will be lifted from the market due to inflated supply and manufacturing costs. Although not a direct "ban," the aftereffects will surely lead to products being eliminated from the market.

For toy products that remain on the market, opponents suggest that the directive will undoubtedly hike consumer prices, due to new research and development needed to meet regulatory requirements. Suppliers have already warned that they will be increasing prices this Christmas to offset the costs of new tests mandated by the EU legislature. Clive Shelton, an expert on toy safety, asserted, "The new provisions for suppliers to keep detailed technical information about their products are proving to be very challenging" — not to mention, very costly.

from: Kid Safe

In her own words she describes what cyberbullying is all about.

 It's important for parents and kids to be aware of what cyberbullying is all about.  When it's not safe for kids, and what parents need to know to keep their kids safe

These days we spend more of our lives online than ever before and our kids are certainly no exception and Cyberbullying is a Big Problem!

Parents and caregivers hear more and more about the risks our kids are exposed to on the Internet and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the flood of risks and tips.

One question we get over and over from parents is how to protect their family from cyberbullying. In this two-part series, we'll explain the lingo and give you some tools to arm your kids in cyber-land so you can protect them even when you're not with them.

There are so many terms that refer to online abuses; it can be hard to keep them straight. "Cyberbullying" is harassing or intimidating someone over the Internet through email, instant messaging, social networking sites (Facebook and MySpace) and cell phones. There are several types of cyberbullying:

Flaming and trolling: Sending or posting hostile messages intended to "inflame" the emotions of others.

Happy-slapping: Recording someone being harassed or bullied in a way that usually involves physical abuse, then posting the video online for public viewing.

Identity theft/impersonation: Stealing someone's password and/or hijacking their online accounts to send or post incriminating or humiliating pictures, videos or information.

Photoshopping: Doctoring digital images so that the main subject is placed in a compromising or embarrassing situation.

Physical threats: Sending messages that involve threats to a person's physical safety.

Rumor spreading: Spreading gossip through email, text or social networking sites.

Unfortunately, any time your child is online he or she can be targeted. From social networking sites to online gaming (both via the computer and through a console such as X-Box or PS3), to texting and chat rooms, our kids are spending more time exposed than ever before. However, it's not as scary as it sounds, I promise, particularly if your kids avoid riskier behaviors that can leave them more vulnerable. Recognizing the risks and communicating about how they can protect themselves is the first step to keeping them safe.

Cell phones: A recent study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project (www.pewinternet.org) shows that teens (ages 12-17) use text messaging to communicate with their friends more than email or instant messaging.

"Sexting" is a sexually explicit text or picture message sent by one person to another. According to Pew, only about 4 percent of the teens they surveyed say they have sent sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude images of themselves to someone via text message; however, 15 percent have received one, and older teens are more likely to be the recipient.

Online gaming: Online gaming allows your child to communicate with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of other people inside a giant chat room. The anonymity can provide children with some safeguards — if they don't tell anyone who they are then no one is likely to target them. However, they can leave themselves pretty exposed if they share too much personal information or get too emotionally invested in the game. These games often have a competitive aspect to them, from fighting with other players for in-game items to "killing" other players, sometimes extremely realistically. Bullies may feel empowered to be mean and can go to extreme lengths to follow another player around, mock them, repeatedly "kill" them or spam them with nasty messages.

Social networking, email and instant messaging: Children sometimes forget that what they share or post can be forwarded just as instantly as it was received, setting themselves up as a potential target if they share private information. Some kids intentionally post or share intimate details of their lives because they believe it will help them gain popularity. This can leave them a prime target for a cyberbully.

By keeping informed, using a kidsafe browser, allowing your kids to play educational games about internet safety, and keeping the dialog open between you and your child at all times; are all ways you can help protect your child from the dangers of the internet and hopefully prevent cyberbullying, either as a victim or as a criminal. Check out our report for kids about Cyberbullying

I know you are probably thinking why would we have Lady Gaga on Kidsafe.com?  Well, no matter what your thoughts are on her performances, or her music, or even her as a person,she does write a lot about believing in yourself and letting your "weirdness" be OK.  Kids have a lot of trouble with their identity in High School, just as she did, and that is where a lot of her music comes from is those akward years when you are trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be. 

Cyberbullying, bullying in general and hate crimes are horrible and have sent children to their death bed way too early.  This is not the first cyberbullying suicide we have reported on Kidsafe.com this year and unfortunately I don't think it will be the last suicide we discuss due to cyberbullies or any kind of bullying or abuse for that matter.

I think she has done a wonderful thing here to bring attention to the problems, issues and tragedies of cyberbullying and their victims.

Here is what she has to say about cyberbullying and high school tragedies.

 "We lost a Little Monster this week," Gaga said, displaying a video of Jamey. His "It Gets Better" video mentioned Gaga and her music several times as he discussed the things that helped him get through the school day.

Before he ended his life, Jamey wrote to Gaga. "@LadyGaga Bye, Mother Monster. Thank you for all you have done, paws up forever," he tweeted.

"I wrote this record about how your identity is really all you've got when you're in school," Gaga said. "So tonight, Jamey, I know you're up there looking at us, and you're not a victim. You're a lesson to all of us. I know it's a bit of a downer, but sometimes the right thing is more important than the music."

During the song, an emotional Gaga turned to the crowd and said, "Bullying is for losers." She's vowed to meet with the president to establish anti-bullying laws. "I will not stop fighting. This must end," she tweeted. "Our generation has the power to end it. Trend it #MakeALawForJamey."

Here is Lady Gaga's  performance at the IHeartRadio concert and her dedication to cyberbullying victim Jayme as well as her vow to help put an end to these horrible tragedies.

What is your experience with Teen Suicide and Cyberbullying?

Do you think we as a society can do more to prevent such tragedies? Did you read Rising Threat to Kids

Could this really be happening?

Callifornia legislature has quietly passed a law to vaccinate our children with out parental consent?  What's next?  This is a Slippery Slope if I ever saw one and we need to FIGHT for parents rights and our childrens health. It should be the choice of the Parent when, or if to vaccinate.  The Government has no constitutional right to take this right away from law abiding, healthy family situations.

(NaturalNews) Growing and widespread public awareness about the dangers associated with vaccines has naturally resulted in the steady decline of this once-lucrative sector of conventional "medicine." And in a desperate effort to preserve the financial viability of vaccines, Big Pharma has switched gears and is now attempting to legislate the secret vaccination of young children without parental consent — and we must band together now to stop this horrendous affront to health freedom from becoming law.

According to The Healthy Home Economist (HHE), California's Assembly Bill 499 has already quietly passed both the California House and Senate, and today sits on the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown where it awaits his signature. The bill, which is only a single page in length, contains specific language that will allow children as young as 12 to opt for sexually-transmitted disease (STD) vaccines like HPV (Gardasil, Cervarix), Hepatitis B, and any future vaccines developed to treat STDs, without having to attain parental consent.

You can view a full copy of the bill, as it was passed, here:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/p…

Apparently devoid of all conscience, soul, and any trace of respect for human life and dignity, the drug industry is now resorting to new lows to force its deadly vaccines on the unsuspecting public. If Big Pharma cannot convince people to take the deadly shots of their own free will, then the poisons must be secretly injected into the weakest and most vulnerable members of society, the children, without their parents knowing about it.

Drug giant Merck & Co. attempted a similar approach back in 2007 when it influenced political lackey Gov. Rick Perry to sign an egregious executive order mandating that all young girls in the Lone Star State receive the HPV vaccine Gardasil upon being enrolled in school. Since that effort ultimately failed, a new and more devious tactic was inevitably the next course of action (http://www.naturalnews.com/033571_R…).

Also, be sure to watch the important YouTube video linked at HHE, which explains a little bit more about the situation and the bill:
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist….

HHE is urging everyone to immediately begin flooding Gov. Brown's office with calls and faxes of opposition to the unconstitutional and illegal passage of Assembly Bill 499:

Governor Jerry Brown
c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173
Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: (916) 445-2841
Fax: (916) 558-3160

Stay informed by signing up for our Kid Safe Newsletter in the top right sidebar.

Because you’re a parent and an influencer, I wanted to share some important info on a serious danger to small children when swallowed – coin lithium button batteries.

Electronic devices are a part of daily life. And they’re getting smaller, slimmer and sleeker. But inside the battery compartment of mini remote controls, small calculators, watches, key fobs, flameless candles, singing greeting cards and other electronics, is a very powerful coin-sized button battery. When swallowed, these batteries can get stuck in the throat and cause severe burns in as few as two hours.

Small children often have easy access to these devices, parents often don’t know about the risk and little ones can’t always communicate with adults.

The Battery Controlled is a partnership to raise awareness about the severity of the issue and share information with parents, caregivers and the medical community. Launched by Energizer andSafe Kids USA, this effort is committed to helping parents prevent children from swallowing coin-sized button batteries. There are three main points we hope you’ll share with your readers:

1. Keep out of reach. Devices with coin lithium “button” batteries have no place in unsupervised hands or toy boxes.

2. Get help fast. Life-threatening damage can happen in as few as 2 hours.

3. Tell others.

·         Start by taking “The Pledge” today.

·         Tweet @BatteryControl:

o   Sample Tweet 1 – PSA: Energizer raising awareness about button batteries. Serious injuries for small kids. Learn morewww.thebatterycontrolled.com

o   Sample Tweet 2 – Plz be careful. Small kids swallowing button batteries. Injuries & deaths reported. www.thebatterycontrolled.com#batterycontrol

·         Share the facts or this compelling video with your friends on Facebook.

Here are links to two recent news stories on the issue:

·         Washington Post

·         Time Magazine

You can also share these images from The Battery Controlled website (links to download pics will be live for next two days):

·         Actual X-ray

·         Toddler with Devices

·         Toddler Handling Mini Remote

·         Car Key and Remote

·         Calculator

By Bob Riha Jr., USA TODAY

Child-safety advocates say identity thieves and pedophiles are taking advantage of kids' infatuation with mobile devices and apps. The Federal Trade Commission last month announced a $50,000 settlement with app maker W3 Innovations for collecting and dispersing information of kids under 13 in violation of the Children's Online Privacy and Protection Act, or COPPA.

Earlier this year the FTC wrested a record $3 million settlement from online game developer Playdom, now a division of Disney, for similar COPPA violations. Child-safety advocates say identity thieves and pedophiles have begun taking advantage of youngsters' increasing infatuation with mobile devices and Web apps.

"Children are using these services more and more, opening themselves up to more information disclosures," says Andrew Serwin, chairman of the privacy practice at law firm Foley & Lardner. "And there's more and more mobile services directed to children, as well." W3 Innovations published Emily's Girl World, Emily's Dress Up and Emily's Runway High Fashion, online services which encouraged kids to create virtual models and outfits and e-mail a fictitious character named Emily with comments and blog posts.

Apple iPhone and iPad users downloaded Emily apps more than 50,000 times. "We want to make it crystal clear, to app developers and to others in this new mobile space, that we believe the protection under COPPA is not platform specific," says David Vladeck, director of the FTC's consumer protection bureau.

"If you can't do it online, you can't do it in an app."

FTC staff is hammering out revisions to COPPA rules likely to include different guidelines for verifying parental permission for kids to use certain apps, and specific rules to protect children using Internet-connected mobile devices, Serwin says.

Meanwhile, more children than ever are using mobile devices and spending longer hours socializing online and and using cool Web apps designed to gather data in support of selling advertising. A recent survey by anti-virus firm AVG found roughly half of children ages 6 through 9 regularly interact with friends online, yet 58% of their parents admitted to not being knowledgeable about social networks.

Rising commercial pressures for kids to get online add to already intense peer pressures, says Hanan Lavy, CEO of child security software maker United Parents. Facebook is open to those 13 or older, though a recent Consumer Reports survey found 7.5 million Facebook users 12 and under. And Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said he would like to formally extend Facebook to kids. "

The risks to children from social networking at an early age are numerous," Lavy says. "As pedophiles become more technologically sophisticated, they're able to find and connect with kids easier than with previous methods." More time spent online also means higher risk of children getting exposed to inappropriate content and advertising. Identity thieves target minors' names and Social Security numbers to create bogus credit accounts with a lower likelihood of getting discovered.

Get your free internet safety reports here

Geddes (WSYR-TV) — A program intended to help find missing children may be in jeopardy. Many parents make a point of getting a child ID card, photos and fingerprints taken. They are then stored in a police database to help find missing children.

As with many things lately, money is the issue. The New York State Sheriff's Association puts more than 50,000 kids in the database across the state each year. By far, the biggest venue, where most parents sign up is the New York State Fair. After this year, we’re told federal funding is going to disappear.

Tracey Ike has brought her 7-year-old to the fair for three years running. Each time, Aidan updates his picture and fingerprints with Operation Safe Child.

"It is something that we always look for. I always want to have a record on me, just in case, God forbid, something should ever happen to him," explained Tracey.

That's music to the ears of the New York State Sheriff's Association, which serviced a record number of children here last year. They took over operations when budget cuts forced State Police to back out last year. Next year, a $50,000 grant they rely on, won't be renewed.

Mark Anderson with the NYS Sheriff's Association told NewsChannel 9, "We're convinced that somebody out there, some corporate sponsor, sees the value of this and is going to help us out. We don't know who that might be at this time, but we're going to look high and low and find somebody."

Working now with an outdated system and no new funding, Anderson is still dreaming about upgrades that would include cards for seniors with dementia and the mentally disabled…if he can get 75 new units at a cost of $5,000 apiece. For parents, the benefits are priceless.

One mom said, "There's definitely other things that could definitely be cut before this and yeah, I'd be disappointed. If it's something that could save my kid., then, it's something worth keeping."

"It's disconcerting actually, because it's really the only lace that we come into contact with somebody being able to fingerprint him and take his picture. So, a little bit sad about that, you know,” Tracey continued.

As of right now, there is no Federal funding for the next year, but Anderson is determined to return here somehow. If he gets the money for his upgrade, it would be in effect within two months, and seniors and the mentally disabled could get cards at the Fair next year. 

 

So what can you do?

• Keep a lock of hair for your child
• Take pictures often especially if their hair changes or as they get older and seem to change overnight
• Take mental notes of what you child is wearing when you take them to school or drop them off somewhere
• Know where your kids are playing, on-line and off-line
• Know your child's friends, their parents, and their phone numbers and even their online identitites
• Keep an open dialog with your kids about safety, who to call if there is trouble, how to protect themselves, to run from strangers and all the other stuff that all parents should be talking with their kids about on a daily basis. 

I know some of you are thinking – Why are you telling me this, I know all this stuff and I do all this stuff, I am a good parent?  We get busy in our lives, school schedules, soccer, cheerleading, football, homework, our jobs, our marriages, multiple children, cars, groceries, utility bills, etc.

This is just a reminder that it our own responsiblity to keep our kids safe.  Just because you registered your child in a database somewhere does not mean that they will be protected.  Those databases are for "after the child is missing" they are not Proactive in protecting your child.  

No parent wants to admit that their child could be a cruel and hurtful cyber-bully, but obviously if there are victims of cyber bullying then there must be perpetrators of the crime. I hope you find this article of great value and would love to see your comments and thoughts! 

"Children resort to cyberbullying for many of the same reasons they resort to any type of bullying — to gain power, to retaliate and to harm others," Logan said. "The 'cyberworld' may be seen as ideal due to the anonymity it provides and the ability to reach a larger audience."

If you discover your child is a cyberbully, calmly talk to him or her. Don't lecture. Don't talk at or down to the child, but have an honest and open conversation that focuses primarily on why the child turned to cyberbullying.

"The power of words and how they are used is taking a whole new turn with the advent of online and other digital communication between children today," said Weiner. "Helping children to take time to cool down and deal with their anger or frustration before they respond online is an important step."