deadmonton 2006 - other police matters - alberta government launches anti-luring web site
The Alberta government announced it was tackling online luring by providing teens with information about online safety in movie theatres and through a new website written from a peer-to-peer perspective.
Children's Services launched www.weron2u.ca, a web site that includes information on predator tactics, safety tips and true stories.
The service said the site received 20,000 hits in the first ten days since it went online May 26th, 2006.
Children's Services Minister Heather Forsyth said teens didn't want typical government information, so the province let teens have their say in the site and its design.
“This campaign was put together by youth, addressing youth. So it’s in their language, it’s the way they see it, and to us, that’s the way you draw them in.”
The site includes instant messenger icons children can download to let predators know they’re educated about online safety.
The Alberta government is promoting the site and providing online safety tips in pre-show commercials running in Cineplex Odeon Theatres throughout Alberta.
In the fall, the web site will be promoted through transit shelter advertising and posters placed in locations where teens congregate.
According to Ipsos Reid poll results referred to by the government, 34% of teens have been asked for such information as surnames, phone numbers and home addresses online, while 52% have seen pornography, violent or hateful messages online.
10% have had inappropriate communications with an adult online.
A poll conducted by the Alberta government in January and February 2006 showed 74 per cent of parents believe children in the province face high to extremely high levels of risk of sexual exploitation while using the internet.
Alberta Children's Services has committed $6.2 million to address child sexual exploitation in 2006/07, with $400,000 dedicated to public awareness activities.