Ensuring Student Cyber Safety

On Thursday, June 24, 2010, the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities, chaired by U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), held a hearing to examine rising safety concerns about students using the Internet, social networking and other technology, especially the increased occurrence of cyber bullying. The hearing will also explore the role schools, students, parents and communities can play to keep students safe.

A recent Pew survey shows in 2009, 73 percent of American teens with access to the Internet use social networking websites, up from 65 percent in 2008. The survey also shows that American teens and young adults say the Internet is a central and indispensable element in their lives.