Since 2007, the Qwest Foundation has funded NetSmartz411, a free Internet safety online-help desk and hotline provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). Designed to help families prevent dangerous online situations before they occur, NetSmartz411 gives parents and guardians direct access to experts at NCMEC who can respond to their specific questions and concerns about online safety.
NetSmartz411 also provides families with general information about social networking, instant messaging, cell phones, chat rooms, e-mail and online gaming.

During its first year, more than a quarter of a million people visited the NetSmartz411 online-help desk, and 864 questions have been submitted since February 2007. In response to a need for more personal interaction with online safety experts, the Qwest Foundation has granted additional funds making the addition of a NetSmartz411 telephone hotline possible. On April 3, 2008, the Qwest Foundation and NCMEC introduced the hotline in Washington, D.C., along with members of Congress. Now, parents and guardians can access experts via NetSmartz411 in two ways:

• Visit the “Ask the Expert” section at www.netsmartz411.org.
• Call 1-888-NETS411.