Clarkston native Nate Knapper developed an Internet safety guide last summer.
‘It’s important because the Internet is absolutely essential in people’s daily lives now,? said Knapper, 22. ‘Because it’s used every day, there’s a greater potential for children who don’t know any better to access content that they shouldn’t.?
Knapper interned with the Michigan Family Forum in Lansing and put together the Family Guide to Internet Safety.
Sections include e-mailing, instant messaging, blogging, Facebook, networking, online video gaming and gambling. Each section defines the activity and discusses risks it can pose to children.
The guide has a segment to help parents. It teaches them about file searching, content filtering, safety tips, purchasing precautions, and common Web acronyms. It also has a cyber safety contract for parents and children to fill out together.
‘Most parents know that they need help in this area, but they’re just too busy to educate themselves about today’s dangers and risks,” said Brad Snavely, executive director. ‘This guide gives them what they need to know in a concise format.?
Knapper also completed an internship at the State Department of Homeland Security. He helped research and format the Michigan Public Health Law Bench Book for the Michigan Attorney General’s office.
‘In the event of a natural disaster or a terrorist attack, there are certain decisions that judges would have to make,? Knapper said. ‘They consult this book if they have a question.?
Attorney General Mike Cox is promoting the cyber safety initiative and wrote an endorsement letter in the safety guide.
Knapper earned three awards for a 2006 internship with the Michigan Legislature. He developed a program called ‘Curriculum Beyond the Classroom.? It earned him the Congressman Paul Henry Integrity Award, the Daniel Rosenthal Legislature Intern Award and the Frank M. Fitzgerald Public Service Award.
In January he did an internship with the House Homeland Security Committee in Washington, D.C. After graduation, Knapper hopes to build a career in the intelligence community.
To view the safety guide, visit the forum’s website, michiganfamily.org.