Michigan's Protect MI Child registry today marked its fourth anniversary, helping to protect thousands of Michigan children from illegal electronic messages.

"The computer world can be a dangerous place for children," notes MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu."  "The Protect MI Child Registry provides parents and others with a practical tool to protect children from the dangers that exist in the electronic world."

The registry, administered by the Michigan Public Service Commission, gives parents and others the opportunity to register e-mail addresses, instant message IDs, mobile text messaging devices and fax numbers to which children have access.  It was established on July 1, 2005.

Over 7,100 individual electronic addresses have been registered. In addition, schools and organizations have registered over 232 e-mail domains, leading to another 122,000 children being protected by the registry. In addition, over 1,100 instant message IDs, mobile text messaging devices, and fax numbers have been registered.

Registered contact points are protected by law from receiving messages that promote products or services that are legally prohibited for children. Examples include pornography, tobacco, gambling, alcohol and illegal drugs. Senders of prohibited messages are required to remove registered contact points from their electronic mailing lists within 30 days of the registration.

Contact point registrations are effective for three years or until the youngest child with access to the contact point reaches the age of 18. It is important that current registrants whose contact points are near expiration renew their registration.  Registrations may be renewed at any time for an additional three-year period.  Registration is free and easy at the Protect MI Child Web site: Michigan.gov/protectmichild.

If a registered "contact point" receives a prohibited message, a complaint may be filed by going to Michigan.gov/protectmichild. The Michigan Attorney General's office is responsible for the enforcement and investigation of complaints. A first violation is a misdemeanor; subsequent violations are felonies. Civil penalties may also be sought.

A Consumer Alert with more details about the Protect MI Child registry is available on the MPSC's Web site - Michigan.gov/mpscalerts (under telephone alerts) or by calling 1-800-292-9555.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.