Utah to unveil Web site to help keep kids safe
Online predators will be targeted by iKeepSafe.org
By Geoffrey Fattah
Deseret Morning News
With congressional hearings this week on the exploitation of children on the Internet and the arrest of a U.S. Department of Homeland Security official for allegedly trying to solicit sex with a minor, the issue of keeping children safe from online predators has gained national focus.
But Utah's kids have Faux Paw the Techno Cat to guide them away from trouble. On Monday, Utah first lady Mary Kaye Huntsman and former first lady Jacalyn Leavitt will both help unveil iKeepSafe.org, a Web site that can help parents and children learn about how to keep safe while using the Internet. The event will take place at Mountain View Elementary School, 1380 S. Navajo St., Salt Lake City beginning at 10 a.m.
Members of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, a part of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, held hearings this week to explore the growing problem of children being targeted by sexual predators, as well as minors who are exploited through an estimated $20 billion child pornography industry.
Experts say those looking for sexual contact with minors on the Internet come from all walks of life and professions, including schoolteachers, clergy or coaches. But the nation expressed shock this week when the deputy press secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was arrested for soliciting sex from an undercover agent, who he thought was a 14-year-old girl. Brian J. Doyle, 55, was arrested at his residence in Maryland for using a computer to seduce a child and transmission of material harmful to a minor. Authorities say Doyle sent pornographic movie clips.
National statistics show that 30 percent of children said they have talked to a stranger on the Internet about meeting in person and 27 percent said they have talked online with a stranger about sex.
"As parents, we all need to be aware of the dangers of Internet activities and monitor closely our children's computer use," Huntsman told the Deseret Morning News.
Surrounded by elementary school children, Huntsman, Leavitt and other members of the Internet Keep Safe Coalition will gather to publicize the Web site, which features a cartoon cat named Faux paw. The site has a cartoon feature of Faux Paw, produced by students at BYU and features the voices of former governor Michael Leavitt and Jacalyn Leavitt. Jacalyn Leavitt, with a French accent, provides the voice of Faux Paw. The character is inspired by the former Utah first cat the Leavitts kept at the state Capitol. The pet bears the same name.
In addition to educational materials on the site, parents can order a children's book version of Faux Paw's adventures.
E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com
© 2006 Deseret News Publishing Company
Go to www.ikeepsafe.org for more information about Faux Paw!
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