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Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez Introduces Resolution Recognizing the Efforts of Teen Angels

May 25, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC- In an effort to protect the safety of minors while on the internet, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez last night introduced a resolution (H.R. 296) recognizing the achievements and contributions of TeenAngels and Wired Safety/Wired Kids efforts to address the growing problem of cyber bullying and cyber crime towards children. Congresswoman’s Sanchez’ office and the Paramount Education Partnership are working together to establish a Teen Angels chapter in the district.

“Every parent worries about what their kids are seeing and who their kids are talking to on the internet. The work that Teen Angels is doing is very important, innovative and engaging for young people and is catching on like wildfire across the country,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “I am very pleased that we are collaborating with the Paramount Education Partnership to bring a chapter to the district.”

WiredKids is a U.S. charity dedicated to protecting all internet users, especially children, from cyber crime and abuse. Parry Aftab, Executive Director of WiredKids founded the TeenAngels network, a diverse group of young people from ages 9-18, who go out into their local communities and schools and teach their peers about internet safety. Young TeenAngels volunteers receive training from cyber-safety experts and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

“Cyber bullying” is defined as the transmission of threats of physical harm, terrorist threats, comments meant to damage the reputation, embarrass, humiliate, insult, spread rumors, defame, or intimidate by one minor to another minor, through websites, instant messaging, camera phones, cell phones, web blogs or other electronic means.

“We are delighted to be working with Congresswoman Sánchez to create a new TeenAngels chapter in her district and to be tapping into her expertise in bullying and expanding into the new realm of cyberbullying. We are grateful for the resolution she introduced to recognize the dedication of these young people in this movement. We look forward to our continued work with her as she continues to lead on this issue on Capitol Hill,” said Parry Aftab, Executive Director of WiredKids and founder of TeenAngels.

Such bullying has proven to cause psychological harm, negatively impact academic performance, force children to change schools and in some cases has lead to suicide. Studies on cyber bullying have found that up to 80 percent of teens said they have read or spread gossip online and that more than 50 percent of teens said they had seen Websites that made fun of their peers.

Currently, there are over 250 TeenAngels worldwide, with chapters in California, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Virginia, Washington, DC, United Kingdom, and Pakistan, keeping themselves, their families, other youths and their communities more aware of the importance of internet safety and the dangers of cyber bullying. Visit their website at www.wiredsafety.org.