The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and CA Technologies (NASDAQ: CA) announced that, in recognition of Cyber Security Awareness Month, the software company is providing additional funding for NCMEC’s efforts to provide Internet safety programs to children nationwide.
“Technology is an integral part of children’s lives and while the Internet is an amazing tool for education and entertainment, the risks that kids face online are very real,” said John Clark, NCMEC president and CEO. “We have to prepare them to understand that the choices they make online can have serious consequences. We’re grateful to CA Technologies for helping us empower more children to make safer and smarter choices online and offline.”
CA’s funding will support NCMEC’s NetSmartz program, a free, interactive, online educational resource for children ages 5 to 17. The program’s website receives more than 5.5 million visitors a year and offers resources for kids, parents and educators.
Active in all 50 states, the program seeks to make children more responsible users of the Internet. It uses data, cutting-edge technology, engaging music, and animation to address the issues that affect children the most, such as cyberbullying, sexting and revealing too much information
“We are proud to partner with NCMEC to help keep children safer by putting NetSmartz resources in more classrooms and homes around the country,” said Erica Christensen, vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility, CA Technologies. “We believe this program has the power to stop crimes against children before they happen and even save lives.”
For more than a decade, CA Technologies has partnered with NCMEC to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation and prevent child victimization. In addition to monetary support, the company has contributed software solutions, services and training.