Protecting children from predators is one of my top priorities. Predators today typically use the Internet to befriend, seduce, and ultimately harm children. Shortly after I took office in 2003, I established a Child and Public Protection Unit and to date we have arrested 200 Internet predators who were seeking to harm Michigan children. Putting these criminals behind bars is not enough; we must also proactively combat the problem by educating children and adults.
The Michigan Cyber Safety Initiative (Michigan CSI) is an Internet safety education program with customized presentations for kindergarten through eighth-grade students and a community seminar. I have invited all public school district superintendents, intermediate school district superintendents, Michigan Dioceses, Homeschooling Michigan members, Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools members, and Michigan Association of Public School Academies members to participate in the Michigan CSI program during the 2009-2010 school year. Registrations are now being accepted. Encourage your school to become a leader in cyber safety education and to submit a Michigan CSI registration form as soon as possible.