Channel 2 hosts online safety forum with students

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ATLANTA — On Monday, September 9, 2013, Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), Facebook and Channel 2 WSB-TV will join together to host a live online safety forum for Georgia high school juniors and seniors, as well as teachers and parents. The forum will take place from 1 to 2 p.m. at Marietta High School with about 750 students in the audience. Channel 2 will produce the telecast and stream it live on its website and mobile platforms, making it available to high schools and parents throughout Georgia. Click here for a list of mobile sites and apps.

“Channel 2 has been covering digital and social media issues for some time,” said Tim McVay, vice president and general manager for Channel 2 WSB-TV. “We’ve produced multiple programs, investigations and projects dealing with social media safety. With all of its pluses, the wired world has created new issues from privacy and security to online bullying and traffic accidents caused by distracted drivers.”

“We’re impressed with Facebook’s project to take its message to the public in local markets, joining forces with schools, local officials and media outlets to encourage smart and safe use of the world’s large social network,” said Jocelyn Dorsey, community affairs director for Channel 2.

The interactive forum will address risks associated with social media engagement, online privacy, and reputation management on social media. Dorsey will moderate the forum. Brooke Oberwetter of the Facebook Public Policy Office and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Cynthia Adkins of the GBI will serve as panelists.

“In this digital age, it is vital that teenagers understand how to protect themselves online,” said Attorney General Sam Olens. “Our young people today are fortunate to have the advantage of exploring the world at their fingertips through the Internet, but they must be aware of the risks involved and take steps to ensure online privacy and security. I hope that the forum will serve as a catalyst for continued, open discussion about making smart decisions online.”

“At Facebook, we think of safety as an ongoing conversation between teachers, students, parents, non-profit groups, government, and the private sector,” said Oberwetter. “We’re pleased that Attorney General Olens is taking the lead in facilitating that conversation in Georgia, and we’re happy to join him to help educate Georgia students and families about using Facebook safely and responsibly.”

Georgia high school juniors and seniors and parents are encouraged to submit questions in advance at local.programming@wsbtv.com.

For a preview of the topics that will be discussed at the forum, click here.

WHAT:      Facebook Social Media Safety Forum

WHO:   Jocelyn Dorsey, Channel 2 community affairs director, Attorney General Sam Olens, Brooke Oberwetter of the Facebook Public Policy Office and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Cynthia Adkins of the GBI

WHERE:   Channel 2's digital platforms, www.wsbtv.com or download WSB-TV news or weather apps for Android, iPad and iPhone in your app store.

WHEN: Monday, September 9, 2013, 1-2 p.m.

For additional show information contact Art Rogers (404) 897-7479

About Channel 2 WSB-TV The ABC Affiliate is part of Cox Media Group and ranks as Atlanta's number one local television station. The station also operates its website, wsbtv.com, its mobile site, wap.wsbtv.com, and airs MeTV on its digital channel 2.2.

About Cox Media Group
Cox Media Group is an integrated broadcasting, publishing, direct marketing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of CoxReps.  Additionally, CMG owns Cox Target Media, which operates Valpak, one of North America's leading direct marketing companies, and Savings.com, a leading online source for savings.  The company's operations currently include 14 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 57 radio stations, eight daily newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services.  CMG currently operates in more than 20 media markets and reaches approximately 52 million Americans weekly, including more than 30 million TV viewers, more than 4 million print and online newspaper readers, and 14 million radio listeners.  For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at www.coxmediagroup.com.