Cyber Safety
Learn about the risks of and tactics used by online predators as well as what constitutes a cyber crime and how to report it
Learn how to identify potential threats that could endanger your child as well as important tips and safety measures
Information about protecting yourself while surfing the internet, safeguarding personal information and avoiding potentially dangerous situations
Learn how to protect yourself online while playing games, surfing the internet and having fun
Contact Us
| address: |
Attorney General of Florida The Capitol, PL-01 Tallahassee, FL 32399 |
| phone: | (850) 414-3300 |
| website: | www.myfloridalegal.com |
| online: | Contact Form |
| news: | Weekly Newsletter |
Please report information to help in the fight against child sexual exploitation.
Press Releases
Attorney General Bill McCollum Press Release
Printer FriendlyMcCollum Applauds Approval of CyberCrime Bill
TALLAHASSEE, FL - Attorney General Bill McCollum today praised the members of the House Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety for their unanimous support of a measure that would crack down on online child predators and thanked Speaker Marco Rubio for his leadership on this groundbreaking legislation.
“As Florida’s Attorney General my number one priority is protecting our children from individuals who prey on their innocence,” said Attorney General McCollum. “This legislation sends a clear message to online predators who abuse our children. This type of behavior will not be tolerated in Florida.”
Today over 77 million American children regularly use the Internet, and sadly statistics on child pornography are alarming. According to the Federal Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Florida ranks third in the nation in volume of child pornography. Nationally, one in seven children between the ages of ten and 17 have been solicited online by a sexual predator.
Sponsored by Representative David Rivera (R – Miami) and Senator Nancy Argenziano (R – Dunnellon), the “Cybercrimes Against Children Act of 2007” (HB 573, SB 1004) strengthens penalties for the possession or distribution of child pornography using the Internet. Additionally, the bill creates a new, separate penalty against sexual predators who connect with a child online and then travel to meet that child for the specific purpose of further abusing him or her. The terms will increase from five years in prison to 15 years.
“We hear repeatedly from moms and dads all over our state about the need for keeping their children safe from cyberpredators,” said Speaker Rubio. “I support this legislation and look forward to seeing it become law.”
“I applaud Representative David Rivera and Senator Nancy Argenziano for promoting this vital legislation which will bring longer jail sentences to those who sexually exploit our children using the Internet,” said General McCollum. “I look forward to working with the leadership in both chambers as we move forward in the process.”
“Passage of this legislation will demonstrate that Florida has zero-tolerance for online child predators,” said Representative David Rivera. “These repulsive crimes against our children are committed by sick individuals and must be stopped.”
Sen. Nancy Argenziano added that the main purpose of this legislation is to protect Florida’s children.
“Every time we prevent one of these heinous crimes from occurring, we protect the innocence of a child,” Sen. Nancy Argenziano said. “The children of Florida are our most precious asset. We must do everything we can to protect them from evil.”
The legislation will also increase penalties when an offender misrepresents his age in order to seduce a child over the Internet. This is a behavior where the sex offender attempts to demonstrate that he is closer in age to the child in order for the child to feel more comfortable. This technique is also known as “grooming.”
The next stop in the legislative process for House Bill 573 is the House Safety and Security Council, while Senate Bill 1004 is now in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
More information about Attorney General McCollum's efforts against cybercrime are available online at http://myfloridalegal.com.