Internet Safety Panel at ISTE's NECC Trumpets Education, Awareness Building as Key in Advancing Online Safety

SAN ANTONIO, June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Attendees of the International Society for Technology in Education's (ISTE(R)) National Educational Computing Conference (NECC) received tools and tips on Internet safety at a town hall meeting, held Monday, June 30, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Conference Center in San Antonio, Texas.

The Town Hall featured a keynote address from Anastasia Goodstein, author of Totally Wired and the Ypulse blog. Goodstein outlined how today's teens are using technology and highlighted the variety of virtual worlds and social networks they're using to stay connected.

Goodstein also cited an MTV study conducted to determine what teens would miss most when left without the Internet for one week. The answer wasn't related to entertainment or even social networking, but informational resources, such as Wikipedia.org, used to complete homework assignments.

Additionally, the town hall meeting featured two panels:

-- Internet Safety Issues: Moderated by Amanda Lenhart, senior research specialist with the Pew Internet and American Life Project, and including Jeanne Biddle, director of technology with Scott County Schools in Kentucky and ISTE board member; Julie Evans, executive director of Project Tomorrow; and Jake Young, a high school senior from Spring, Texas.

-- Resources and Tools: Moderated by Adam Thierer, senior fellow and director of the Progress and Freedom Foundation, and including Lan Neugent, assistant superintendent of the Virginia Department of Education; Dr. John Slivka, technology director with Albertville Public Schools in Alabama; and Richard Stevens, vice president of business services with Time Warner Cable in San Antonio.

ISTE CEO Don Knezek also reinforced the importance of education in advancing Internet safety in his remarks.

"The best defense against online predators and inappropriate content is education," Knezek said. "Educating students to stay safe online is the best way to protect them."

ISTE thanks the Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing for its support of this event. A video of the session will be available shortly; watch ISTE's Web site for details.

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is the premier membership association for educators and education leaders engaged in improving teaching and learning by advancing the effective use of technology in PK-12 and teacher education.