Bill H.R. 4134, which was passed by the House of Representatives last week, earmarks $25 million in funding directly to the Carlsbad-based non-profit online safety organization i-Safe to “carry out Internet crime prevention education programs.” It has yet to pass the Senate, however, not everyone is happy about it.
There are a number of organizations in this space and it makes no sense for Congress to single out one organization,” Larry Magid, co-director of ConnectSafely.org, a nonprofit Internet safety organization, wrote in an e-mail. “I would prefer specific funding to be handled by a federal agency rather than Congress, which really isn’t in a position to evaluate effectiveness or appropriate messages.”
According to the National Journal, Nancy Willard, executive director of the Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use, says this would be a waste of public funding because iSafe offers a:
Web 1.0-style Internet safety education — fear-based, simplistic rules with a ‘just say no’ approach that is doomed to failure with today’s totally wired kids and teens.” Investing so much in one group would eliminate benefits derived from competition and diversity, undermine collaboration, and stifle innovation, she said.
What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
[Link: National Journal via CNET]
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i-SAFE is by far the best program out there. We have used several of the others and they don’t compare. There will always be critics of a successful program or product. Those that say it is fear based have not really taken an in depth look at the entire program or curriculum. The lessons focus on being responsible online, making good choices, and critical thinking in relation to their behaviors online.
My .02 cents.
i-SAFE has wonderful materials. Of course other groups would bash them they want the money! I’ve looked at all available programs and i-SAFE has more then triple the amount of materials anyone else has -you name it or want it they got it!
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