WHEREAS, the internet is an essential tool for education, communication, and commerce, yet it also poses significant risks, including cyberbullying, identity theft, and exploitation by online predators; and

WHEREAS, in 2024, Virginians aged 60 and older filed approximately 3,841 complaints with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), reporting losses exceeding $106.6 million and placing the Commonwealth 11th among all states for elder fraud losses; and

WHEREAS, according to the FBI’s national data, individuals aged 60 and older filed the highest number of IC3 complaints and suffered more than $4.8 billion in reported losses nationwide, contributing to total U.S. losses of $16.6 billion across 859,532 complaints, a 33 percent increase over 2023; and

WHEREAS, child exploitation remains a critical concern, with an estimated 500,000 online predators active daily and one in five children aged 10 to 17 reporting online solicitation by strangers; and

WHEREAS, U.S. youth are increasingly exposed to online dangers, with over half of teens reporting experiences with cyberbullying, and according to a 2025 study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, 83 percent of children and adolescents had been exposed to content related to self-harm or suicide on social media; and

WHEREAS, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program (ICAC) supports state and local law enforcement agencies in developing effective responses to technology-facilitated crimes against children, and public awareness campaigns and digital literacy initiatives play a critical role in prevention; and

WHEREAS, Virginia is served by two ICAC Task Forces: the Northern Virginia/DC ICAC, coordinated by the Virginia State Police, and the Southern Virginia (SOVA) ICAC, administered through the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office; and

WHEREAS, it is vital to ensure a safer digital environment by fostering partnerships with law enforcement agencies, schools, and community organizations to promote internet safety education and awareness; and

WHEREAS, public awareness, community education, and early intervention empower young people to recognize online dangers, reduce internet-related crimes, and promote a culture of digital safety and responsibility; and

WHEREAS, on Internet Safety and Online Predator Awareness Day, and every day, citizens are encouraged to recognize the importance of digital safety and take proactive steps to protect themselves and their loved ones online;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize August 1, 2025, as INTERNET SAFETY AND ONLINE PREDATOR AWARENESS DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.