New campaign promotes Internet safety for Utah's kids


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BOUNTIFUL — Last year, the Utah legislature grabbed national attention when it declared pornography a "health crisis."

The Utah mom who pushed her state senator to sponsor that bill has launched a new campaign to protect kids online.

Will Brown and his friends like to play games and learn online, especially on YouTube.

Their parents have also talked with them about pictures they should not look at.

"We don't watch that kind of stuff," Will said.

If they accidentally click on a pornography site, Will said adults have told him to just turn it off.

“Or, like at school, they just said to hurry and shut off the monitor and just go tell the teacher,” he said.

The Safe Internet for Utah Kids Campaign launched Thursday with a new website.

Jennifer Brown, the Bountiful mother behind the campaign, wants all families to share these tools and start an open dialogue about internet safety with their kids.

“The issue of pornography is having an unprecedented weakening impact on our youth,” Brown said. "They can't speak for themselves. They can't protect themselves."

Several years ago, Brown pushed Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, to do more.

"She would call me all the time and say, 'What are you going to do to protect my children from pornography?'" Weiler said.

Brown’s persistence made a difference.

"We are kind of a pioneer in this issue,” Weiler said

The Safe Internet for Utah Kids website shares studies about the effects of pornography for the developing brain, as well as filters for parents to use.

The website recommends parents start the conversation with children when they start online activity.

Pamela Atkinson, with the Utah Coalition Against Pornography, said a non-threatening dialogue is important.

"Let the children know that it is safe to come to mom or dad," she said.

The campaign also urges Utahns to sign a letter encouraging the state legislature to make this a top priority.

“This is really a parental and family responsibility,” Weiler said. “But, we're trying to let parents know this is a problem and here's some tools that you can use in your own family."

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Jed Boal

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