Boys & Girls Clubs of America Partners With Sprint to Tackle Internet Safety

Second year of partnership brings 4NetSafety(SM) program tips to young people and the adults in their lives

ATLANTA, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The continually evolving nature of the Internet and constant introduction of new media devices necessitate an adaptable education plan to keep young people safer online. As evidenced by the recent devastating events that have swept across our nation, cyberbullying, the sharing of personal information, and the misuse or malicious use of media continue to be major concerns for America's youth.  As the nation's leading youth development agency, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) and Sprint (NYSE: S) have joined forces to address these issues and help better prepare today's young people to navigate their world – both real and virtual.

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Sprint's 4NetSafety(SM) program aims to open the lines of communication about Internet safety between young people and their caregivers. The online resource, www.4NetSafety.com, offers free tools from experts that address the perils that young people commonly encounter online and encourages positive dialogue about Internet safety. BGCA is now entering its second year of partnering with Sprint to provide 4NetSafey materials to Club members. BGCA will continue to make these educational tools available to the 4 million youth served by its network of Clubs through membership and community outreach, and BGCA and Sprint will explore additional ways to make sure this important information gets to the young people who need it.

"The Internet has great potential for kids in terms of knowledge and resources, but we take seriously the job of teaching our youth how to navigate it safely and properly," said Dan Rauzi, senior director of technology services and programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "The partnership between Sprint and BGCA will allow our organization to stay abreast of trends, educate youth and train Club professionals, thus building a multi-faceted approach to online safety for young people."

The average age of people using social networking sites and mobile phones is decreasing, and research continues to reveal interesting numbers about their Internet usage and lack of adult supervision. Three in four (74 percent) young people have a home Internet connection (31 percent have high-speed access). Nearly one-third (31 percent) have a computer in their bedroom. (Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-Olds. Victoria Rideout, Donald F. Roberts. Ulla G. Foehr. March 2005. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. 17 November 2006). Sixty-five percent of high school students alone admit to unsafe, inappropriate, or illegal activities online (Market Wire. November 6, 2006. i-SAFE Inc. December 12, 2006), and 63 percent of teens said they know how to hide what they do online from their parents (Harris Interactive-McAfee 10/2008).

"Technology provides vital communication and resources, but it can also bring with it a unique set of challenges, particularly for our young people," said Debby Ballard, director of Community Affairs for Sprint. "By working with Boys & Girls Clubs, Sprint is able to get critically important information into the hands of young people and the adults in their lives."

Sprint's 4NetSafety program is in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the National Education Association Health Information Network (NEA HIN).  In 2002, BGCA and NCMEC created an interactive, educational safety resource called NetSmartz to educate children, parents, guardians, educators and law enforcement about the dangers inherent for youth online.  The two programs are a great compliment to each other and will be the focus of BGCA's media safety education program.

Internet safety education is the first step to reducing incidents of youth caught in unsafe situations online. As technology, including social and mobile media, continues to evolve, the need for educational resources will remain a critical component to ensuring the safety of our young people.  Parents, guardians, teachers, community leaders and teens can get more information, and access tips and resources at www.bgca.org or www.4netsafety.com.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel served more than 48.8 million customers at the end of the third quarter of 2010 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; offering industry-leading mobile data services, leading prepaid brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, Common Cents Mobile and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Newsweek ranked Sprint No. 6 in its 2010 Green Rankings, listing it as one of the nation's greenest companies, the highest of any telecommunications company.  You can learn more and visit Sprint at www.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has enabled young people, especially those who need Clubs most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4.2 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

SOURCE Boys & Girls Clubs of America