Utah Students Will Use Games To Learn Internet Safety

January 9, 2008 -- Who knew teachers would ever say video games can help save a child’s life? Five Utah school districts will soon be using a new Internet safety video game program that has already been credited with saving one teen from a child predator. The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) is sponsoring the launch of a pilot program in Utah called Web Wise Kids.

“Students will like Web Wise Kids because the games are fun. Parents and educators will love the games because they can save lives,” says Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.

The Attorney General joined President of the Senate John Valentine, Speaker of the House Greg Curtis and representatives from Jordan, Granite, Salt Lake, Murray and Alpine school districts today to announce the new program. ESA will provide training for teachers and distribute the Internet safety games to 75 schools in five districts.

"Real actors, with real story-lines from actual crimes creates a game that will rivet attention at the same time it schools its players in Internet safety," says President Valentine. "Kids need to recognize dangers that exist online. This interactive game
will help."

Web Wise Kids offers fun, challenging and interactive simulations based on real-life criminal cases. The game titles include “Missing,” “Mirror Image,” “Airdogs,” and even one for parents called “Wired With Wisdom.”

"As the parent of six children and two grandchildren, I am deeply concerned about the safety of our children online," says Speaker Curtis. "The program put together by Web Wise Kids is a wonderful tool that I hope will be used throughout the state by educators to help our children in an increasingly online world."

A San Francisco teenager says the program helped her realize her Internet boyfriend was really a child predator. Katie Canton was only 15 when she met a a 22-year-old man in an Internet chat room. Katie’s parents became concerned when their daughter said she was in love with this man and gave her a copy of the “Missing” game. The family then asked the police look at Katie’s computer files and they discovered the man was the primary suspect in the rape of a 13-year old girl. With Katie’s supporting evidence, prosecutors were able to put the man in prison for 20 years for trying to entice Katie.

"Web Wise Kids believes that wisdom begins with you and so we are excited to empower the youth and adults along the Wasatch Front with the knowledge and programs to safely navigate the Internet," says Esther Cookson, Director of Strategic Initiatives for Web Wise Kids. "We applaud Senator Valentine, Speaker Curtis and Attorney General Shurtleff for acknowledging the importance of Internet safety and thank them and Entertainment Software Association for the support to bring these
dynamic programs to your area."

"The Entertainment Software Association is proud to provide the resources to launch this cutting edge initiative along the Wasatch Front. Working together, we believe this program will help teach our children to maintain high standards of personal safety and responsibility online," says Sally Jefferson, Senior Director of the ESA. "We applaud the combined leadership of Speaker Curtis, President Valentine and Attorney General Shurtleff on this issue and appreciate the opportunity to work together with them to achieve the goal of protecting our children."

For more information on Web Wise Kids, please visit www.webwisekids.org.

The ESA is dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies publishing interactive video games. For more information about ESA, please visit www.theESA.com.

Source: Utah Attorney General