July 10, 2006

The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today noted that in the first year of the Protect MI Child Registry, parents and other individuals have registered over 100,000 e-mail addresses, instant messenger IDs, mobile text messaging and fax numbers that children have access to. The registry guards children from unwanted and inappropriate electronic messages.

Almost 5,000 individual electronic addresses have been registered. In addition, schools and organizations have registered over 190 e-mail domains, leading to another 96,000 children being protected by the registry.

"Thousands of parents, grandparents, guardians and schools have embraced this technology that helps protect children from receiving electronic messages that promote products and services that are illegal for children," said MPSC Chairman J. Peter Lark. "The dangers that lurk in the electronic world are well known. The MPSC encourages people to take action by registering e-mail addresses and other 'contact points' today. Registering is free and easy on the Protect MI Child Web site: michigan.gov/protectmichild."

Registered contact points are protected by law from receiving messages that promote products or services that are legally prohibited for children. Examples include pornography, tobacco, gambling, alcohol, and illegal drugs. Senders of prohibited messages are required to remove registered contact points from their electronic mailing lists within 30 days.

If a registered "contact point" receives a prohibited message, a complaint may be filed by going to michigan.gov/protectmichild. The Michigan Attorney General's office is responsible for the enforcement and investigation. A first violation is a misdemeanor; subsequent violations are felonies. Civil penalties may also be sought.

The MPSC is an agency within the Department of Labor & Economic Growth.