The Cynja Creates a New Comic Strip Promoting Cyber Safety for Kids
Jun 03, 2015, 09:15 ET
WASHINGTON, June 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Multi-platform media company, The Cynja®, announces the launch of its new weekly cyber comic strip. Using the original characters and storyline of their first graphic novel published last year, The Cynja is a full-color comic strip written by Chase Cunningham, Heather C. Dahl and illustrated by Shirow Di Rosso and is based on their expertise as techies and parents. The series inspires kids of all ages to make smart choices online and learn about Internet safety as they navigate their digital lives.
"We're thrilled to announce our first publisher partnership with consumer reporter and author Bob Sullivan," said Heather C. Dahl, CEO of The Cynja LLC. "Bob's coverage of cyber crime and privacy issues exposes the world of technology that our comic is based upon. Our goal is to transport his audience deep into the virtual reality we now live by weaving creativity into our understanding of the impact digital innovation has on our daily lives, society and world."
"I'm thrilled to be partnering with The Cynja. The work of Heather, Chase and Shirow is both gorgeous and important," said Sullivan. "Far too many people still fall into the traps set by computer criminals. Cleary, the warnings we've been issuing about the dangers of the virtual world just aren't good enough. We've got to look for new ways to get the message across, and The Cynja is a such creative teaching tool."
The Cynja, which features new support and sponsorship for their comic strip by managed secure cloud leader FireHost, has been recognized by PBS NewsHour, the Guardian, Children's Book Review, HelpNet Security, PC Magazine, Savvy Auntie, the National Press Foundation, Holland's Kennisnet, Australia's Mouth of Mums and the former inspector general for the NSA.
"FireHost has shown a commitment to teaching children about the dangers online," said Dahl. "Just as kids need to learn how to be smart and safe in the physical world, they need to be savvy to navigate their numerous virtual apps and environments. We thank FireHost for their financial support to help make the launch of our comic strip a reality."
Cunningham, who holds a Ph.D. in Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance, was inspired by his two daughters to collaborate with Dahl and Di Rosso on the series.
"The digital journey is beyond what many parents could ever have imagined when they were children; so too the risks," said Cunningham. "When we use the Internet each of us enters a virtual world wherein forces of immense magnitude battle for power. Like the ancient myths and the imagined tales of fantasy and science fiction, this cyber darkness is filled with a new generation of monsters—zombies, worms, botnets and more. But there is one, critical difference; these monsters of reason are real."
"The growing danger online is what motivated us, as technology professionals, to create The Cynja," said Di Rosso. "We are teaching cybersecurity and tech concepts using our creativity in a way that kids of all ages can grasp by following our new comic strip."
About The Cynja®
Co-founders Heather C. Dahl and Dr. Chase Cunningham, along with Creative Director Shirow Di Rosso, started bringing cyberspace to life for kids of all ages by publishing their first book The Cynja® Volume 1 based on their professional experience in tech and cybersecurity. In just two years, The Cynja has grown into a comic book series published in English and Dutch, a weekly web comic, activity books, blog, subscription newsletter and children's workshops all designed to help families make smart digital choices. Selected by a panel of judges, The Cynja will be a featured small press publisher at Comic-Con International in San Diego this July. The Cynja LLC is based in Washington, DC. Learn more by visiting www.thecynja.com
About Bob Sullivan
Bob Sullivan is a veteran journalist and the author of four books, including the 2008 New York Times Best-Seller, Gotcha Capitalism, and the 2010 New York Times Best Seller, Stop Getting Ripped Off! His latest, The Plateau Effect, was published in 2013, and as a paperback, called Getting Unstuck in 2014. He has won the Society of Professional Journalists prestigious Public Service award, a Peabody award, and been given Consumer Action's Consumer Excellence Award. Learn more by visiting http://www.bobsullivan.net
About FireHost
FireHost offers the most secure, managed cloud IaaS available, protecting sensitive data and brand reputations of some of the largest companies in the world. With private, cloud infrastructure built for security, compliance, performance and managed service, responsible businesses choose FireHost to reduce risk and improve the collection, storage and transmission of their most confidential data. FireHost's secure, managed cloud IaaS is available in Dallas, Phoenix, London, Amsterdam and Singapore, and offers robust, geographically redundant business continuity options across all sites. Based in Dallas, FireHost is the chosen secure private cloud service provider for brands that won't compromise on the security of their payment card, healthcare, and other regulated data. Learn more by visiting http://www.firehost.com
For more information contact:
Helen Garneau
Director of Marketing
The Cynja® LLC
[email protected]
+1.206.240.8804
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150602/220345
SOURCE The Cynja