Technology

Spider-Man rescues kids from mean cyber-streets

Spider-Man has grabbed attention on the silver screen this summer, and now experts hope his popularity can carry over to a new cause: getting parents and children to heed the message about online safety.

The superhero and other comic characters from Marvel Enterprises will be the centerpiece of a campaign with Wired Safety, a nonprofit group that provides safety resources and training. The campaign will be announced today in Washington.

Internet Superheroes, which will include stage shows, live appearances by the characters and special free comic books about topics such as privacy, cyber-bullying and online predators, will be a draw for families who have largely been indifferent to the problem.

"We keep trying to find something that works," said Parry Aftab, Wired Safety's executive director and an expert on online safety issues. "The only time we get a lot of parents to come (to presentations) is when we have a crisis."

Aftab, a lawyer and author of The Parent's Guide to Protecting Your Children in Cyberspace, says the online world has gotten nastier for kids over the years. And though kids have become smarter, too many still take chances and get into trouble.

For example, Aftab says studies have shown that 20 percent or more of kids say they have met someone in person after first meeting online. And pornography peddlers have been targeting kids as well.

"Life is hard, keeping kids safe and away from stuff, really gross stuff," Aftab said. "I'm starting to think a technical addition to the arsenal is essential," such as software filters and popup-ad blockers.

Over the years, Aftab says, she polled kids about which celebrities would make a difference in spreading the message about online safety. At various times, stars such as singer Britney Spears, the Rock and Jackie Chan were favorites.

"None of them really pulled it together," said Aftab, adding that Spider-Man always ranked high.

Marvel has quite a stable of characters, including Captain America, the Hulk and Spider-Girl, and apparently many will be used during the collaboration. Marvel executives were not available for comment Monday, but Peter Cuneo, the company's vice chairman, said in a news release that "in bringing together our widely known Marvel characters and Parry's expertise in Internet safety, we have developed a terrific program that educates kids and parents about Internet piracy and predators as well as promoting responsible and private surfing in a fun and engaging way."

Aftab hopes to get other corporate sponsors to pick up the tab for some of the program's costs and expects it to get under way in time for the return to school. It will include appearances at schools, malls and libraries; a new Internet Superheroes Web site; and in-school curriculum advice.

Dave Gussow can be reached at gussow@sptimes.com or 727 771-4328.

Internet Superheroes: www.internetsuperheroes.org

Wired Safety: www.wiredsafety.org

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