(Atlanta) — Most children have access to the Internet, either at school or at home. While many sites are safe for kids to visit, unfortunately, children may be exposed to predators, identity thieves and other dangers in cyberspace.

To help keep kids safe on the Internet, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency’s (GEMA) School Safety Unit will present, “The Internet and Your Child,” a free class for parents and anyone else who supervises children’s online activity. The class will be Tuesday, September 26, 2006, at 6:30 p.m. at Clegg Auditorium at North Georgia Technical College, which is located at 1733 Highway 197 North in Clarkesville, Georgia. The class is sponsored by Kiernan Hapkido Academy and Curves for Women, and refreshments will be provided.

Topics will include Windows basics, parental controls, popular Web sites teens use to network with friends, hacking, and protecting your privacy from identity thieves. In addition, instructors will go online and pose as children to show participants what encounters kids may experience in cyberspace. To register, call (706) 754-7716.

In 1999, legislation was passed that requires every public school in Georgia to develop and implement a wide-ranging safety plan that addresses acts of violence or terrorism, natural disasters, hazardous materials and radiological incidents. GEMA’s School Safety Unit has developed a planning guide for schools to help them create their plans.

In addition, GEMA’s School Safety Unit provides services that help schools have a safe and secure school year. GEMA’s school safety coordinators offer training and technical assistance to educators, emergency management and public safety personnel. This training includes site surveys and safety audits, weapons screening, school bus safety, gangs, bullying, exercise design and bomb threat management. They also respond to school crises.

For more information on school safety or GEMA’s School Safety Unit, call GEMA toll-free in Georgia at 1-800-TRY-GEMA or visit www.gema.state.ga.us.

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Post Office Box 18055 - Atlanta, Georgia 30316-0055
Phone (404) 635-7000 or toll-free in Georgia 1-800-TRY-GEMA - Fax (404)635-7205
www.gema.state.ga.us