FLOYD, Va. (WDBJ) – Virginia is set to observe the first official Internet Safety and Online Predator Awareness Day on Aug. 1, following the passage of House Joint Resolution 36 during the 2026 General Assembly.
The day is designated annually on that date.
To mark the observance, Delegate Wendell Walker will host a press conference Friday, July 31, at Bedford Hills Elementary School in Lynchburg.
Educators, law enforcement, parents, and community leaders are expected to attend.
About the observance
The annual observance is intended to highlight online threats facing children, families, and older adults, including online predators, cyberbullying, identity theft, scams, and digital exploitation.
“This day represents more than a date on the calendar,” said Eddie Worth, President and Executive Director of the Safe Surfin’ Foundation.
“It represents a statewide commitment to empowering families, supporting educators, and equipping young people with the tools they need to recognize danger before they become victims. We’re proud to stand alongside Delegate Walker and our many partners as Virginia observes this historic first.”
The observance builds on years of collaboration between the Safe Surfin’ Foundation, Delegate Walker, Virginia’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, educators, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations.
Here @ Home welcomes Beth Worth with the Safe Surfin’ Foundation to talk about the observance and the work they do to protect students from online dangers.
About the Safe Surfin’ Foundation
The Safe Surfin’ Foundation was founded in 1998 by retired Bedford County Sheriff Mike Brown.
The organization provides internet safety education to schools and communities through age-appropriate programs, digital resources, and prevention initiatives.
Brown, who also led one of the nation’s first Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces, said the annual observance reflects Virginia’s continued commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens.
“Creating this day is not the finish line — it is the beginning of an ongoing commitment,” Brown said. “For nearly three decades, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly online threats evolve, but we’ve also seen the incredible difference education can make. Every child deserves the opportunity to explore the online world safely, and every parent deserves the knowledge and resources to help protect them.
Awareness saves lives, and education remains our most powerful tool.”
How Virginians can participate
The Safe Surfin’ Foundation is encouraging Virginians to use the inaugural observance to take the following steps:
- Practice responsible digital citizenship
- Talk with children regularly about online safety
- Learn to recognize the warning signs of grooming, cyberbullying, and online exploitation
- Report suspicious online activity and internet crimes
- Support community education and prevention initiatives
The press conference will be held Friday, July 31, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at Bedford Hills Elementary School, 4330 Morningside Drive, Lynchburg, VA 24503.
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