Online Workshops for Parents and Teachers in Conjunction With 'Digital Nation' Documentary Now Available on Verizon Thinkfinity Web Site

A series of online workshops for parents and teachers, created by PBS Frontline in conjunction with its innovative documentary, "Digital Nation," are now available at Verizon Thinkfinity.

The documentary - its complete title is "Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier" - is the centerpiece of a year-long, multiplatform initiative exploring the impact of the Web and digital media on life in the 21st century. The documentary was funded through a $1 million grant from the Verizon Foundation and premiered Tuesday night (Feb. 2) on Frontline, the PBS award-winning news and public affairs series. 

The series of Digital Workshops: Online Resources for Parents and Teachers, as well as a host of additional information on Internet safety, are now available for free online through Verizon Thinkfinity.

Verizon Thinkfinity is a free educational Web site that contains thousands of engaging educational resources, podcasts and videos that make learning fun.

The series of workshops include:

• Digital Parenting: Protecting and Empowering Kids - Parents explore resources on how to balance concerns about safety with a teen's healthy need for independence.   http://www.thinkfinity.org/digital_nation.aspx?type=parents

• 21st Century Schools: Learning in the Digital Age - Workshop for teachers to discuss the hype and the hopes for improving education through technology. http://www.thinkfinity.org/digital_nation.aspx?type=teachers
• The Digital You: Attention, Multitasking and Addiction - Learn how to keep a balanced relationship with the technology in your life.  http://www.thinkfinity.org/digital_nation.aspx?type=multitasking
• Learning in Virtual Worlds - Explore the remarkable power of alternate realities to do much more than just entertain.   http://www.thinkfinity.org/digital_nation.aspx?type=virtuallearning

"Online technology has a tremendous impact on education," said Verizon Foundation President Patrick Gaston. "Our children are growing up in a digital world; it's how they communicate, learn and share ideas.  We are proud to partner with PBS on this innovative documentary and provide these valuable tools to parents and teachers."

Raney Aronson, Frontline senior producer, said: "The Verizon Foundation has been an ideal partner on the 'Digital Nation' project. We hope to continue our exploration into the implications of living in a world immersed in technology and its impact on future generations."

Verizon is engaged in Internet safety on multiple fronts, providing customers with an industry-leading slate of online cybersecurity tools and education programs to empower educators, parents and children.  The company has expanded its lineup of parental control tools available for free to Verizon Online and Verizon Wireless customers on the Verizon Parental Controls Center, www.verizon.net/parentalcontrol.

The Verizon Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Verizon Communications, supports the advancement of literacy and K-12 education through its free educational Web site, Thinkfinity.org, and fosters awareness and prevention of domestic violence.  In 2009, the Verizon Foundation awarded more than $67.5 million in grants to nonprofit agencies in the U.S. and abroad.  It also matched the charitable donations of Verizon employees and retirees, resulting in an additional $26.1 million in combined contributions to nonprofits.  Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered more than 5 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

"Digital Nation" is created by the award-winning FRONTLINE producer Rachel Dretzin, with correspondent Douglas Rushkoff. FRONTLINE is produced by WGBH Boston and is broadcast nationwide on PBS. Funding for FRONTLINE is provided through the support of PBS viewers. Major funding for FRONTLINE is provided by The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Park Foundation. "Digital Nation" is brought to you by the Verizon Foundation.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 91 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of approximately 222,900 and last year generated consolidated revenues of more than $107 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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