Faux Paw the Techno Cat Makes His Pennsylvania Debut
Jan Tribble, MD
Northampton County Medical Society Alliance President-Elect
State Attorney General Tom Corbett on January 31, 2006, welcomed to Pennsylvania Faux Paw the Techno Cat—the central character in the Internet safety program for children—developed by ikeepsafe.org.
The setting was Russell C. Struble Elementary School in Bensalem, where Faux Paw also received greetings from the school principal, the local attorney general for Bucks County, the local school board, the state president of the PTA, and the president of the Pennsylvania branch of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
President-Elect Barbara Mannisi and Northampton County President-Elect Jan Tribble, MD, represented the PA Alliance.
Also in attendance were Marsali Hancock and Iris Beckwith, developers and
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PMSA President-Elect Barbara Mannisi (standing back row—left end) and Northampton CMSA President-Elect Jan Tribble, MD (standing back row—third from left end). |
administrators of the ikeepsafe program.
The program began with Attorney General Corbett giving remarks on the issue of Internet safety for children, sharing alarming statistics on the frequency of the problem, and citing the recent arrest of an Internet predator in Bucks county.
Corbett remarked on how we teach children about "stranger danger"—noting this new threat to our children's safety—and that we as parents, educators, and law enforcement agencies have to work together to keep our children safe. The other dignitaries also made some brief remarks.
We then went into the gymnasium, where the Attorney General met with about 30 third grade students and their teachers and led the presentation of the Faux Paw program.
The program consists of reading a book aloud, viewing a short animated film, and discussing the message of the program. A most special visitor joined the program—Faux Paw himself—the 6-foot tall version of the character depicted in the book and film.
We all practiced reciting the three rules of Internet safety, which are Keep, Don't Meet, and Tell, meaning:
- Keep all your personal information to yourself;
- Don't ever meet anyone that you meet on the Internet; and
- Tell an adult if something happens on the Internet that makes you feel scared, confused, or uncomfortable.
The other main safety tip is to never allow children to have unrestricted Internet access in their bedrooms.
The AMA Alliance is a co-sponsor of this program to be introduced into elementary schools nationwide. This is the first of three planned programs, with the second program to be introduced this summer by First Lady Laura Bush, on the topic of cyber bullying.
The website, www.ikeepsafe.org, is a wonderful resource for both parents and educators, with lots of free, downloadable materials. So, check out the website, talk to your children about Internet safety, and find out what your local schools are doing to address this important issue.
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Last Updated: 11/15/2007