Secretary Napolitano Announces Stop.Think.Connect.™ Campaign Partnership with D

[The Patriot]

Secretary Napolitano Announces Stop.Think.Connect.™ Campaign Partnership with D.A.R.E. America

07-26-2011 04:00 AM

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign today announced a new partnership with Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) America — an initiative that will help protect millions of children from online threats by encouraging Internet safety.

"In today's world, Americans can use technology to engage with communities around the globe," said Secretary Napolitano. "Now, more than ever, it is important that all Americans — adults and children alike — learn to protect themselves online and do their part to ensure that cyberspace is a safe and secure environment for all Internet users."

Using the resources of the largest child safety program of its kind in the world, the Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign will train D.A.R.E. officers to talk to kids and parents in their communities about cybersecurity, and provide them with the Stop.Think.Connect. Community Outreach Toolkit – an all-inclusive resource with simple tips and tools they can use to stay safe while using the Internet.

"To stay current with child safety needs, D.A.R.E. has added programs in Internet Safety and Cybersecurity," said Charlie Parsons, CEO and President of D.A.R.E. America. "We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Homeland Security on these important efforts to keep our children and America safe."

DHS remains committed to encouraging all Americans to take an active role in promoting online safety. The Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign recently announced the winners of its Public Service Announcement (PSA) Challenge, which called upon groups and individuals to create and submit PSAs educating their fellow citizens on Internet safety. To view the winning videos, click here. In the coming months, DHS will continue to expand the Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign to encourage Americans to keep themselves, their families, and their friends safe and secure online.

The D.A.R.E Program was established in 1983 in Los Angeles to address substance abuse. Since then, it has become the largest and most comprehensive children's safety program in the world, positively impacting millions of kindergarten through 12th grade students each year. D.A.R.E. is now taught in all 50 states and 45 countries around the world.

Stop.Think.Connect. is a national public awareness effort to guide the nation to a higher level of Internet safety and security by educating and empowering the American public to be more vigilant about practicing safe online habits. The campaign encourages Americans to view Internet safety and security as a shared responsibility — at home, in the workplace, and in our communities.

For more information on D.A.R.E. America, visit www.dare.org.

For more information on Stop.Think.Connect., visit www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect.

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