K 783: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2025, as Internet Safety Month in the State of New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 783 BY: M. of A. Seawright MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2025, as Internet Safety Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2025, as Internet Safety Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Internet Safety Month; and WHEREAS, The United States Senate first designated June as National Internet Safety Month in 2005; and WHEREAS, As of 2021, 92% of Americans have reliable internet access and its usage is expected to increase as the infrastructure of the internet is upgraded; and WHEREAS, According to the United Nations, 77% of people aged 15 to 24 used the internet in 2023, over one-third of young people in 30 countries reported being cyberbullied, and around 80% of children reported feeling in danger of exploitation online; and WHEREAS, In a 2023 FBI report on elder fraud, 17,696 complaints were filed by Americans over the age of 60 with total losses of $589,759,770 by way of tech and customer support impersonation, 16,968 complaints relating to cryptocurrency with losses totaling $1,653,484,444, and 7,333 complaints relating to data breaches with losses totaling $23,913,130; and WHEREAS, According to a variety of different studies: 62% of cyberattacks use data gathered through spear-phishing, cybercrime victim counts increased to 69% during COVID-19 from 2019 to 2020, 20% of Millennials and 18% of Generation Z have had their identities stolen, 50% of people do not feel their information is private online, 46% of women and 37% of men said their social media accounts had been hacked, and 31% of people do not feel safe when they are online; and WHEREAS, Numerous methods exist to protect people and information online such as utilizing multi-factor authentication, creating strong passwords, keeping software up-to-date, learning how to detect and report phishing attempts, and practicing responsible social media habits; and WHEREAS, An extensive number of national organizations partner with many federal and state agencies such as the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, to provide resources and perpetuate awareness for internet safety; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be continued public awareness of this serious issue, and to encourage all New Yorkers to practice kindness toward all people; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2025, as Internet Safety Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.