First-Ever Online Safety & Security Education App Available on Smartphone Platform

Leading Internet and Technology Companies and Online Safety Advocates Launch App to Educate Users On The Go

Washington, DC – January 31, 2011 The Internet Education Foundation (IEF) today announced the launch of “Net Safety Tips On The Go” (Net Safety Tips OTG), the first-ever digital safety and security advice app for wireless users. Developed with the support of Google and Verizon, this innovative app makes it easy for consumers and families to keep up with mobile and online privacy, safety, and security issues using their Android smartphone or tablet.

The app dispenses quick, practical, friendly advice in easy-to-digest portions — one tip at a time — to help users use the Internet and smartphones safely. These tips offer information on mobile privacy and security, searching and surfing the Web safely, safeguarding your sensitive financial online information and more. The premier online safety education organizations in the world including Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely.org, OnGuardOnline.gov, and GetNetWise.org produce content to feed the app. Other leading online safety, security and privacy organizations are expected to contribute soon.

“Mobile broadband technology provides limitless opportunities for fun, education and entertainment for everyone,” said Rose Kirk, Verizon Foundation president. “To make the most of these opportunities, families need to feel comfortable online. Tools such as Net Safety Tips On The Go help provide families peace of mind, knowing they have the knowledge needed to be safe and secure in the digital world.”

Mobile app-based education allows busy people to be more personally productive during their hectic days making Net Safety OTG the perfect tool to educate them. “This app is a terrific idea, especially for people whose lives revolve around their phones,” noted Larry Magid, Internet safety pioneer and co-director of ConnectSafely.org. “Everything is going mobile, and now we have put crucial online safety and security education in the hands of anyone with an Android phone or tablet,” said Tim Lordan, IEF Executive Director.

Net Safety Tips OTG is available as a free download from the Android Market™ and is featured in the Verizon tab of the Android Market™ on Verizon Wireless smartphones. Visit http://netsafetyapp.org for more information, sample tips and download information.

Contact:  Tim Lordan
202-439-5688
tlordan@neted.org

About Common Sense Media

Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology. We exist because our kids are growing up in a culture that profoundly impacts their physical, social, and emotional well-being. We provide families with the advice and media reviews they need in order to make the best choices for their children. Through our education programs and policy efforts, Common Sense Media empowers parents, educators, and young people to become knowledgeable and responsible digital citizens. For more information, go to: http://www.commonsense.org.

About ConnectSafely

ConnectSafely (connectsafely.org) is for parents, teens, educators, advocates — everyone engaged in and interested in the impact of the social Web. The user-driven, all-media, multi-platform, fixed and mobile social Web is a big part of young people’s lives and this is the central space — linked to from social networks across the Web — for learning about safe, civil use of Web 2.0 together. ConnectSafely advises the Internet industry, other non-profits and government on best practices and policies. More at http://www.connectsafely.org

About GetNetWise.org

GetNetWise is a public service brought to you by Internet industry corporations and public interest organizations to help ensure that Internet users have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences. GetNetWise is a project of the Internet Education Foundation. More at http://getnetwise.org

About Google

Google’s innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google’s targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, visit www.google.com.

About The Internet Education Foundation

The Internet Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public and policymakers about the potential of a decentralized global Internet to promote communications, commerce and democracy. Projects include the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee, GetNetWise.org and Net Safety Tips On The Go. More at http://www.neted.org

About OnGuardOnline.gov

OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information. More at http://OnGuardOnline.gov

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America’s most reliable wireless network, serving more than 93 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America’s most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 195,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

The audio recording of the 2009 State of the Net West Conference held on August 5, 2009 is now available. The 3rd annual conference, held in conjunction with the High Tech Law Institute of Santa Clara University, featured Aneesh Chopra, White House CTO and Representatives Boucher, Lofgren and Goodlatte. Visit the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee’s podcast page at http://www.netcaucus.org/audio.xml to download the four sessions or go to the State of the Net West Agenda page  at http://www.netcaucus.org/events/2009/sotnwest/agenda.shtml for more details. You can subscribe to all Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee podcasts in the Apple iTunes Store as well.

To see a sampling of media accounts of the Conference including local TV/radio along with press from the San Francisco Chronicle and Twitter posts visit http://www.netcaucus.org/events/2009/sotnwest/media.shtml

Conference sessions included:

“Broadband in America and Issues Before the House Commerce Committee”
Congressman Boucher discusses Broadband and Privacy at State of the Net West 2009 with Allen Hammond, Santa Clara University School of Law, and Michael Hintze, Microsoft Corporation.
Download MP3 at http://www.netcaucus.org/audio/2009/20090805boucher.mp3 (16.6 MB)

“Antitrust in the Internet Era”
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren discusses Antitrust in the Internet Era at State of the Net West 2009 with Cathy Sandoval, Santa Clara University School of Law, Tim Bresnahan, Stanford University, and Michael Katz, University of California, Berkeley.
http://www.netcaucus.org/audio/2009/20090805lofgren.mp3 (21.0 MB)

White House Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra speaks at State of the Net West 2009 in Santa Clara California
http://www.netcaucus.org/audio/2009/20090805chopra.mp3 (11.2 MB)

“The Innovation Agenda”
Congressman Bob Goodlatte discusses Innovation and Immigration with AnnaLee Saxenian, University of California Berkeley, Keith Wolfe, Google, and Pratheepan (Deep) Gulasekaram, Santa Clara University School of Law
http://www.netcaucus.org/audio/2009/20090805goodlatte.mp3 (18.9 MB)

Today the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee (ICAC) posted the audio transcript of its latest Congressional Briefing, “Anatomy of Online Advertising: Understanding the Privacy Debate.” The ICAC hosted the briefing on the morning of March 30, 2009 in the U.S. Capitol Building, Capitol Visitors Center Meeting Room South. The audio file can be downloaded from the ICAC web site at http://www.netcaucus.org/events/2009/privacyanatomy/ The page also features a description of the briefing as well as a list of panelists.

Tim Lordan, Executive Director of GetNetWise.org, discusses the availability of personal information at many sites on the internet. Lordan advises consumers to put some limits on “offline” information and how to protect themselves on social networking sites. The conversation with Of Consuming Interest’s Shirley Rooker is podcast on WTOP’s Web site. Visit WTOP’s audio center for a limited time to play the audio of the broadcast or download the MP3 from their podcast RSS.

Today Executive Director Tim Lordan taped a segment for ABC News regarding our recent poll regarding the changing U.S. attitudes toward young people using social networking sites and chat rooms. Our poll data indicated that Americans’ concern over kids’ use of technology is rapidly evolving. We understand the segment will appear on various ABC News outlets this evening and throughout the week. The broadcast also included interesting polling information from an earlier release that illustrated Americans’ changing views of privacy.

Tim Lordan, Executive Director of the Internet Education Foundation, spoke at the Federal Trade Commission’s “eHavioral Targeting” Town Hall conference earlier this month. Lordan spoke on the final roundtable on the “Future of Behavioral Advertising.” Lordan spoke about the future of mobile location services and also discussed privacy issues relating to the use of social networking sites. Not incoincidentally, the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee announced yesterday that a panel at the State of the Net Conference 2008 will explore privacy issues related to social networking. The panel is titled, “Social Networking Privacy: An Oxymoron?” Panelists will be announced shortly.