During the summer and fall of 1998 the classes were held in museums, science centers, libraries, and other high-traffic, educational, family-oriented environments in 16 cities around the United States. In each of the cities the IDE classes were repeated four times. At each class, Tech Corps, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the use of technology in schools, provided volunteers who served as "guides" during the hands-on surfing sessions. AOL's Digital City, Inc., the nation's largest local online network, also provided volunteers and resources in each city on the tour.

The technology on which Internet Drivers Ed is based also leads to a new way of processing information every time a child who has taken the course modifies his or her online behavior by paying attention to the program's "Six Smart Tips for Online Safety."

AOL and the ALA are currently considering a permanent exhibit of Internet Drivers Ed at the Capital Children's Museum in Washington, D.C. This exhibit has the potential to reach thousands of children and their parents, and will make the Internet and interactivity part of the fabric of the museum.

With PACT, adults, teenagers, and kids are invited to sign age-appropriate non-violence pledges -- on www.AOL.com and at KEYWORD: PACT on America Online -- and print a personalized certificate to serve as a reminder.

"We hope people use the PACT in a way that is meaningful to them, and that it reminds them to stop, listen, and talk to their kids, families, and neighbors," said Steve Case, chairman and CEO of America Online, Inc. "We've witnessed an incredible desire among our members for an outlet for action, and hope this small step will give voice to their determination to make sure nothing like this happens again."

Adults who sign the PACT pledge promise the following:

• I will talk with my children and the children I know, and listen to the issues they think are important.
• I will take a greater interest in my children's free time and their friends.
• I will, in my words and actions, condemn violence as a way to resolve conflict, anger, or frustration.
• I will get more involved in my community and our schools.
• If I own a gun, I will make sure that children can't get their hands on it.
• I will not put other kids down by labeling them with names or doing anything else that creates hurt feelings.
• I will talk to my parents, teachers, or an adult I trust about problems at school, with friends, or anything else that makes me feel bad.
• I will do everything I can to resolve trouble without violence -- and when I can't, I will walk (or run) away.
• If I see or hear other kids talking about hurting people, or doing things that could harm others, I will tell an adult as soon as I can.
• I understand that violence is real and has permanent consequences. I will do everything I can to stay safe.

  The "Kids Only" PACT pledge promises:

• I understand that not all kids are the same, and that everyone wants to be liked and accepted.
• I will tell my parents or another adult I trust when I'm upset or angry about school, friends, or anything else that makes me feel bad.
• I will look for ways to settle disagreements without violence.
• If I see or hear other kids talking about hurting people, or doing things that could harm others, I will tell an adult as soon as I can.

Many prominent individuals, experts, and government officials have signed the PACT pledge, including teen pop star Britney Spears, Charlotte Hornets' Eddie Jones, Oxygen Media CEO Gerry Laybourne, National Association of School Psychologists Director Susan Gorin, Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.), Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), and Sen. John Aschroft (R-Mo.). AOL Chairman and CEO Steve Case and AOL Interactive Properties President Ted Leonsis have also signed the pledge.

Other prominent signers include Hootie and the Blowfish, Collective Soul, Taran Smith (actor who stars as Mark Taylor on the popular television show "Home Improvement"), singer and songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman, Russ Leatherman ("Mr. Moviefone"), screenwriter, director, and actor Steve Oedekerk, the PC Dads, and Stanford University Dean of Communications Don Roberts.

Safe Surfin' was introduced Sept. 15, 1998, at a National Town Meeting on children's online safety held in Washington, D.C., by a coalition of industry representatives, educators, and law enforcement officials formed as a result of the Internet Online Summit: Focus on Children. The summit, which took place Dec. 2-3, 1997, was the first high-level gathering of industry leaders, educators, law enforcement officials, public interest, and family advocates to debate ways to ensure that children's experiences in cyberspace are rewarding and safe. The summit was conceived by, and received its major backing from, America Online.

Since the introduction of Safe Surfin', America Online has been making the video available for free to the National Parent Teacher Association, the American Library Association, Tech Corps, and other grassroots organizations.

(1) Never tell anyone your home address, telephone number, or school name without asking a parent, and never share personal information publicly online (e.g., in a chat room or newsgroup/message board post).
(2) Don't give your passwords to anyone, even your best friend.
(3) Never say you'll meet someone in person without asking a parent.
(4) Always tell a parent, librarian, or teacher about any threatening or bad language you see online.
(5) Don't accept things from strangers (such as e-mail, files, or URLs).
(6) If someone says something that makes you feel unsafe or funny, notify your parents, librarian, or teacher, and leave the chat room or Web site.

In addition, America Online created a Safe Surfin' Web site, an interactive companion to the video, which is available at www.safesurfin.com. The site was launched during the first National Kids Online Week, held Sept. 14-20, 1998 to coincide with back-to-school activities and sponsored by the America Links Up participants. The Safe Surfin' site also includes curriculum from the Internet Drivers Ed program.

"We want to continue to make sure the AOL experience for our younger members is as enriching as it is for our adult members. While AOL is popular with people of all ages, increasingly it's a 'must' for children ages 12 and under," said Jonathan Sacks, senior vice president of programming operations at America Online. In fact, in a recent AOL Families Channel survey, AOL parents said their kids are more likely to "fight" over the computer than the telephone.

Already at least 2.5 million kids are online with America Online. This figure is more than half the total number of kids online around the world. By the year 2002 it is predicted that more than 20 million kids under the age of 12 will be online.

"Our goal is to continue to raise the awareness of the resources in place so that even more parents can customize their kids' online experience and ensure that their time online is the best and safest it can be," said Katherine Borsecnik, vice president of network programming at America Online.

• Permanent Parental Controls Button on the AOL Welcome Screen: America Online updated and expanded the Parental Controls to help parents make sure their children have a fun and enriching online experience while limiting what they say and do online. The AOL Welcome Screen, one of the highest traffic locations in cyberspace, has a permanent Parental Controls button that automatically links AOL members to the Parental Controls area on America Online's service. This button is a key part of America Online's larger campaign to increase parental awareness of safety issues online and to encourage parents to use these technological tools to help make children safer in cyberspace.
• Expanded Parental Control Category for Teens: Initially, Parental Controls gave parents three choices in pre-set access limits: Kids Only, Teen, and 18 Plus. Parental Controls now offers a new level of limited access to the service designed for younger teens, ages 13 to 15. When parents select this "Young Teen" access option, their youngsters will be prevented from entering member-created or private chat rooms and will have access only to appropriate material on the AOL service and the Web. The "Mature Teen" account is recommended for older teens (ages 16 to 17) and allows its holders access to all AOL content, but limited access to the Web. Both Young Teen and Mature Teen accounts are blocked from Internet newsgroups that allow file attachments because such attachments often contain inappropriate material for teens. Parental Controls not only can be changed at any time but the access limits also stay in place no matter what computer is used to log onto America Online.
• "Notify AOL" Button: With the Notify AOL button, members can report inappropriate activity to AOL from key parts of the service including chat, e-mail, Instant Messages, and the Member Directory area. The Notify AOL button also allows members to communicate directly with AOL's Community Action Team to report inappropriate content or behavior online, or even to page an AOL Guide to a chat room for assistance.