On the Beat in the Bluegrass

Herald-Leader staff report

The attorney general, along with officials from the Kentucky Department of Education, announced Thursday a partnership that that aims to provide parents and children with strategies to keep kids safe online.

Jack Conway at Thursday's news conference.

The announcement came during a news conference in Frankfort. Attorney General Jack Conway says the partnership will expand statewide cyber-safety education efforts and help teach adults to be online models, mentors, and monitors, according to a news release.

Agencies responsible for conducting their own education efforts and training programs have agreed to coordinate resources to reach more Kentuckians. Conway created in his office a CyberCrimes unit, which is dedicated to investigating online crimes and training law-enforcement officers throughout the Commonwealth about how to preserve and process digital forensics. His office also conducts cybersafety workshops in schools.

“Social-networking sites are the new malls for Kentucky kids, and parents must know who their children are socializing with, not just in the real world, but the virtual world as well,” Conway said in the release.

The three-year education initiative will begin with a statewide conference Nov. 24 and 25 at the Lexington Downtown Hotel and Conference Center, formerly the Radisson, at 369 W. Vine Street.

The conference, which is open to the public, will provide adults and children with strategies to keep children safe online. The conference will be followed by regional workshops which will be announced at a later date. Registration is $100 and EILA continuing-education credits will be offered for school system employees.

For more information on the conference or to register for the event visit www.ag.ky.gov or www.kychildnow.org.