SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER

Wilsonville Elementary School will host an i-SAFE Internet Safety program for Shelby County parents on Jan 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Andy Jones, a representative of i-SAFE America, a nonprofit Internet safety foundation located in California, will conduct the program.

The meeting is being sponsored by Wilsonville Elementary School, Wilsonville Elementary School Student Council and the Wilsonville PTO.

i-SAFE&8217;s i-PARENT Program educates parents about the dangers lurking on the Internet including predators, spammers and pirates who prey on young people online.

According to i-SAFE, there are more than 48 million American children and teens using the Internet.

A recent i-SAFE survey revealed than 25 percent of fifth through 12th graders have met or are willing to meet a new person from the Internet face to face.

In addition, 30 percent say if their parents knew what they did online, they would not approve.

The Internet is also becoming an around-the-clock playground for bullies looking to humiliate their peers, according to i-Safe.

An i-Safe study among 1,566 students (grades four to eight) reveal that 42 percent reported having been bullied online, with 7 percent admitting it happens &8220;quite often.&8221;

&8220;America&8217;s youth need to protect themselves from Internet dangers by learning the skills to act responsibly and by possessing the tools to be a better cyber citizen,&8221; according to i-Safe.

The meeting is not limited to Wilsonville Elementary School parents only.

Parents from other schools in Shelby County are also encouraged to attend