Parents Get Free Online Safety Tools From Verizon

NEW YORK - As children return to school and their studies and spend more time on the computer, their exposure to online threats may increase.  To help combat these threats, Verizon is offering its broadband customers access to free parental controls and has launched a Parental Control Center offering tips and tools for parents on how to protect their children when they're online.

In addition to easy downloading of the parental-control software, the Verizon Parental Control Center features tutorials on subjects such as Social Networking and Safe Surfing for Kids and offers links to Web sites for organizations like WiredSafety, the largest cybersafety organization, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children's Cyber Tipline.  The center is available to Verizon customers at verizon.net/parentalcontrol.

"Verizon continues to take a leadership role in providing parents with the tools they need to protect their children when they are online," said Dr. Parry Aftab, founder and executive director of WiredSafety. "We applaud Verizon's commitment to Internet safety and for making the extra effort to help parents confront online threats."

Among the tools available to Verizon broadband customers as part of the free parental-control software are:

• A content blocker that will allow parents to prevent children from viewing selected topics on the Internet.

• Application filters that will allow parents to limit access to applications they do not want their children to use.
• The ability for parents to designate specific time periods when the Internet or certain functions cannot be used.

"Verizon's focus is on providing our broadband customers with the services they need to safely and effectively navigate the Internet," said Bill Heilig, Verizon vice president of corporate marketing.  "Verizon recognizes that parents are seeking ways to ensure their children are safe while using the vast resources the Internet offers."

Nationally recognized for its commitment to Internet safety, Verizon is engaged in the issue on multiple fronts.  In addition to providing an industry-leading slate of online cyber-security tools and education programs to empower educators, parents and children, Verizon also works closely with law enforcement to assist with investigations involving crimes against children, and with partners such as WiredSafety.org to deliver tools and information to various segments of the community.  Verizon has long been a supporter of efforts to encourage content providers to voluntarily label their Web sites; raise parental awareness of the benefits of labeling; and educate decision makers about the desirability of self-regulation of online content.

Verizon provides parental controls as a key element of its Internet Security Suite (VISS), which is available online to all consumers.  To learn more about VISS and other Internet security related issues go to http://newscenter2.verizon.com/kit/security-suite/.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 69 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,600 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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