SOURCE: Symantec
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March 19, 2008 09:00 ET
iKeepSafe and Symantec Host Norton Connected & Protected Kids' Assembly to Honor Utah First Lady Mary Kaye Huntsman
iKeepSafe Initiates Implementation of Internet Safety Program in Salt Lake City Schools
SALT LAKE CITY, UT--(Marketwire - March 19, 2008) - Symantec (NASDAQ: SYMC),
makers of Norton security software, and the Internet Keep Safe Coalition, a
national non-profit organization committed to Internet safety, today
honored Utah First Lady Mary Kaye Huntsman with the Internet Keep Safe
Award for her efforts towards keeping Salt Lake City's children safe
online. Also in attendance was honored guest, Representative Bradley Daw,
of District 60, Orem, Utah. Symantec has an established presence in Utah
with more than 500 employees in its Orem and Lindon offices.
Symantec Internet Safety Advocate Marian Merritt presented the award to
Huntsman at a "Norton Connected & Protected Kids' Assembly" attended by
more than 100 students, parents and teachers of Hawthorne Elementary.
Additionally, iKeepSafe introduced the "Faux Paw the Techno Cat®"
Internet safety program for rollout in Salt Lake City schools.
As First Lady, Huntsman is the founder and chair of the nonprofit
organization Power in You. This organization is dedicated to highlighting
the emotional aspect of life challenges and at-risk behavior in order to
help teens make positive choices and have healthy attitudes on the road to
adulthood and beyond. Among other issues covered, cyberbullying is a major concern for Huntsman. Her
goal is to help kids understand they are not alone and have the power
within to handle whatever challenges they may face.
"Mary Kaye Huntsman's efforts, along with the school's programs, are
critical to keeping children safe online," said Marian Merritt, Internet
Safety Advocate with Symantec. "Symantec is thrilled to partner with
iKeepSafe to support the efforts of these organizations."
The Faux Paw Internet safety curriculum was sponsored by Symantec and
created in partnership with Penn State's Dept. of Education and a global
team of educators. Consisting of children's books and animated DVDs, the
program was created specifically for elementary school children and follows
the adventures of Faux Paw the Techno Cat, a curious, Web-surfing cat who
teaches kids how to keep safe online. Online tutorials for teachers and
parents covering topics such as social networking, cyberbullying and
general tips about how to keep kids safe online are also available as part
of the curriculum from iKeepSafe and Symantec. The Faux Paw Internet
safety program will roll out in Salt Lake City schools later this year.
The Utah Medical Alliance and partner organizations are assisting the
initiative by sharing the iKeepSafe message in schools and with parents.
"Utah is the most connected state in the nation. It is important that
every elementary student learn how to keep safe while online," said Jacalyn
Leavitt, former first lady of Utah and iKeepSafe founder. "We are grateful
to the generosity of 1-800-CONTACTS and Utah Families Foundation, allowing
each 1st through 5th grade classroom in the state to receive a book from
the 'Faux Paw the Techno Cat Series,' which includes an animated cartoon
and free learning resources. The Safe & Drug Free Schools Program has also
partnered with us to distribute these resources and strengthen this effort
to protect children."
Parents can visit the Norton Family Resources Web site
(www.norton.com/familyresources) for additional information on Internet
safety and see when the Norton Connected and Protected Mobile Tour will
come to their town.
About Symantec
Symantec is a global leader in providing security, storage and systems
management solutions to help businesses and consumers secure and manage
their information. Headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., Symantec has
operations in more than 40 countries. More information is available at
www.symantec.com.
About the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (www.iKeepSafe.org)
The Internet Keep Safe Coalition is a broad partnership of governors and/or
first spouses, attorneys general, public health and educational
professionals, law enforcement and industry leaders working together for
the health and safety of youth online. The coalition partners include the
FBI, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, American Medical
Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Reading is Fundamental, and
Communities in Schools. (For a complete list of partners, visit
iKeepSafe.org.) The coalition provides parent tutorials and age-appropriate
educational resources, including the Faux Paw the Techno Cat ®Internet
safety series of books and animated films for children. iKeepSafe uses
these unique partnerships to disseminate the safety resources to families
worldwide, including pilot programs launching this year in China, India and
Australia.