SAN DIEGO, Jan. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --More students, parents and teachers in San Diego will learn about cyber safety in today's digital world thanks to a $50,000 Verizon grant to the San Diego Police Foundation (SDPF) to expand  its award-winning SafetyNet: Smart Cyber Safety Choices® program.  

Working together as partners, the SDPF and San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force will conduct ten seminars throughout the year to educate middle school students and parents.  The curriculum focuses on the responsible use of online and wireless communications, as well as steps to help ensure a safe experience.

"We've built this partnership on the values of collaboration, education and open communication between parents, children and teachers," said Lowell Handy, Verizon Wireless director of network operations.  "Together we'll help kids, teachers and parents create the kind of digital experiences that are right for them and their families. Verizon also empowers its customers with online and wireless Parental Control tools, such as content ratings, call blocking, text and call limits, Family Locator service and more."

The Verizon Parental Control Center can be accessed at http://parentalcontrolcenter.com and also includes web content filtering and blocking and FiOS TV Parental Controls. Verizon also offers software called the Verizon Internet Security Suite to protect computers and family information from a wide array of threats, every hour of every day.  

The Verizon Foundation uses its technology, financial resources and partnerships to address critical social issues, with a focus on education and domestic violence prevention. Through Verizon Volunteers, one of the nation's largest employee volunteer programs, Verizon employees and retirees have volunteered nearly 6 million hours of community service since 2000. For more information on the foundation, visit www.verizonfoundation.org.

For more information on the San Diego Police Foundation, visit www.sdpolicefoundation.org.

The San Diego Police Foundation improves human services delivered by men and women (and dogs) who "Protect and Serve." Individuals, organizations and businesses are its support network, providing financial contributions for tangible crime prevention and law enforcement solutions, like equipment, training, and collaborative community programs that help police do their jobs better. Beneficiaries are crime victims, the elderly, children, and virtually anyone who lives, works or plays in the San Diego region. The SDPF was founded by then Chief of Police (now Mayor) Jerry Sanders. It has awarded grants totaling nearly $3.7 million.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 94.1 million customers nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers innovative, seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 194,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless