Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026, as Internet Safety Month in the State of New York

Assembly Resolution No. 1331

BY: M. of A. Rules (Seawright)

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        June 2026, 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 2026, 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  2026,  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.