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TALLAHASSEE, FL –Attorney General Bill McCollum today joined Stop Internet Predators, an initiative of the national non-profit organization Stop Child Predators, to educate parents and members of the community on the dangers cyber predators pose to children. The Orange County Council of PTA/PTSAs assisted in arranging the Orlando event, which was open to parents in Orange County and the surrounding area.

“CyberSafety and education about safe internet use should be a top priority for our students, our parents, our grandparents and any other concerned Floridian,” said Attorney General McCollum. “The more parents know about safe internet use, the better we can help protect our children from internet child predators.”

During the hour-long program, Attorney General McCollum led an in-depth presentation arming parents with crucial information on protecting their children on the internet. The presentation included real-life examples of internet threats to children, information on how to spot internet child predators and best practices for helping children stay safe while surfing online.

”It is vitally important to have frank discussions with your kids about safe internet use and to encourage our community leaders, law enforcement agencies and parents to work together to protect our children,” said Stacie Rumenap, executive director of Stop Child Predators. “Child safety, both online and off, is a passion for both my organization and Attorney General Bill McCollum, and we want to educate parents in all communities.”

CyberSafety has been Attorney General McCollum’s top priority since taking office in 2007. In the past two years, the Attorney General, members of his staff and school resource officers have delivered his interactive CyberSafety presentation in more than 960 schools to almost half a million students around the state. The program teaches students about the risks posed by online predators, what constitutes a cybercrime, how to keep themselves safe on the internet and how to report victimization.

“Orange County Public Schools sincerely appreciates the Attorney General's Cyber Crime Unit and the attention given to protecting children on the internet,” said Orange County Schools Superintendent Ronald Blocker. “Orange County Schools value the efforts of community partners who help educate our students and parents on the dangers of cyber predators.”

Information about the Attorney General’s CyberSafety program is available online at www.safeflorida.net. For more information about Stop Internet Predators and its work in Florida, please visit www.StopInternetPredators.org.