Like everyone in America, we at SafeKids.com are horrified by what happened at Virginia Tech.  The tragedy reminds us that we can never take safety for granted.

 
Our mission is to help kids be safe on the Internet and, in the case of Virginia Tech, the Internet played a positive role.  It was the lifeline that students used to stay in touch with each other and let parents and loved ones know their status. At times the net was the only communications tools they had, especially when cell phone service became overwhelmed from heavy use.

 Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace were especially helpful during and immediately after the chaotic episodes. Students were able to tap into their personal networks of friends through these social networks.

 The tragedy also reminds us that, as much as we worry about safety on the Internet is only a small part of the overall picture of growing up safely in our society.