NEWS RELEASE
CLEVELAND DIVISION
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Date: January 8, 2007

Contact: J. Colleen Brown FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

216/622-6615

Due to the dangers of Internet predators, the Cleveland Division of the FBI and the Lakewood City School District have implemented a new Internet Safety challenge to educate students. Fifth through eighth grade students compete nationally about their knowledge of the dangers of predators on the Internet. The students at Emerson Middle School scored first place in the State of Ohio for the month of December.

The FBI-SOS Challenge is a free Internet Safety program in which students learn to recognize potential dangers associated with the Internet, email, and chat rooms. Students take web-based quizzes and review specific websites aimed at promoting online safety.

"We take the safety and security of our students very seriously. We are happy to work with the FBI to help inform and protect students on the Internet," says Dr. David Estrop, Superintendent, Lakewood City School District.

"The FBI-SOS Challenge is a fun way to reinforce important Internet safety guidelines for children. The Challenge uses Internet surfing and competition among students to educate about the dangers of the Internet," says Special Agent in Charge Frank Figliuzzi of the Cleveland FBI.

This program was developed with the cooperation of the FBI Crimes against Children Unit at the Miami FBI Field Office and is administered by The Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation, part of the Fischler School of Education. The Cleveland Division is the 4th FBI Field Office in the country to implement the www.fbi-sos.org program in their community.

For more information or to start your school district in this free program, contact Cleveland FBI Community Outreach Specialist J. Colleen Brown at (216) 622-6615 or j.colleen.brown@ic.fbi.gov.