Cyber-Safe is a program designed and launched in Marion County in 2007 to address the escalating issue of Internet safety. This program is a partnership between Heart of Ohio Mentoring, the Marion County Sheriff’s office, and Marion County Children’s Services.

This program is a local approach to address the latest national statistics reflecting the following startling results:

30 million children between the ages of 10 and 17 use the Internet, each year.

1 in 4 children will be exposed to explicit, sexual pictures on the Internet.

1 in 5 children will be sexually solicited on the Internet

1 in 33 children will be aggressively pursued due to contact made while on-line.

This comprehensive program provides in-depth training in local school districts and as well as provide seminars and classes for any adult. The entire program is at no cost to any family.

The curriculum of this research-based project offers education in multi-levels based upon the age of the participant. The levels offered are kindergarten through adult.

In this project, Heart of Ohio Mentoring is the educational component of the Cyber-Safe Program, the Marion County Sheriff’s office oversees the law enforcement issues, and Marion County Children’s Services is the family support and victim assistance unit.

This project teaches safety tips, identification of issues on the Internet, as well as discussion on television and other media sources. Classes and seminars will be taught by Cyber-Safe Certified Trainers that have completed the required course and test to become a certified trainer.