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Release
QWEST AND THE NATIONAL CENTER
FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN LAUNCH COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM TO HELP
PROTECT KIDS ONLINE
Parents Safety-Net Test Gives Families Immediate Guidance
to Avoid Internet Risks
DENVER, CO - May 12, 2005 - Qwest Communications International
Inc. (NYSE: Q) recognizes the increasing risks that children and families
face while using the Internet. Child victimization, cyber bullying, and
exposure to inappropriate content are rapidly increasing in venues such
as chat rooms, E-mail and instant messaging. Qwest Communications and
the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC)
are working together to reduce these online threats and are launching
an Internet safety campaign to give parents and guardians the resources
they need to establish safer online practices for their families.
The new Parents Safety-Net Test provides parents and guardians with an
instant tool to check their knowledge of Internet safety. Located at www.incredibleinternet.com,
the interactive test also provides parents with immediate feedback and
tangible steps they can take to protect their children.
“Studies have shown that many parents are not aware of their children’s
online behavior or the potential dangers they could confront via the Internet,”
said Paula Kruger, executive vice president of Qwest mass markets. “We
designed the Parents Safety-Net Test to help improve communications between
parents and their children which is the first essential step towards making
the Internet safer for families across the country.”
According to recent research by Pew Internet & American Life Project,
62 percent of teens believe that most teens do things online that they’d
rather their parents not see and 63 percent of parents agree.
“We believe that the Internet holds tremendous potential for our
nation’s youth,” said Ernie Allen, president and CEO of NCMEC.
“Qwest and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
want parents and guardians to understand that the Internet can also pose
serious dangers. We need to empower kids with the same safety skills to
the Internet that help prevent child victimization in the ‘real
world’.
In addition to the Parents Safety-Net Test, parents and guardians can
download Qwest’s Connected Family Kit from the Incredible Internet
Web site. The kit includes online safety tips, family internet rules,
and additional resources that promote safer and fun Internet usage for
families. Both the Parents Safety-Net Test and the Connected Family Kit
are available in English and Spanish.
As part of the Qwest Spirit of Service, Qwest is committed to helping
keep families safer. The following are program highlights of upcoming
Qwest youth initiatives that will be featured on its Internet resource
Web site, www.incredibleinternet.com:
- Teen Identity Theft Awareness - The Web site provides links to Qwest’s
comprehensive identity theft resources guide, which provides a free
video and information for youth, parents and businesses on how to minimize
their risk of becoming victims of identity theft.
- Tools for Teachers - Qwest has partnered with Dr. Judith Collins,
an associate professor at Michigan State’s school of criminal
justice, to develop an online resource to educate teens and parents
about the dangers of identity theft. The online resource, which is scheduled
for completion early this summer, will also include an identity theft
prevention curriculum for teachers. The Teacher Resource Center is another
tool that was developed by the Public Education & Business Coalition
(PBEC) to provide teachers with the information they need to get the
most out of the Internet and technology in the classroom.
To take the Parents Safety-Net Test or for more information, please visit
www.IncredibleInternet.com.
About The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
NCMEC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works in cooperation
with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
Prevention. NCMEC's congressionally mandated CyberTipline, a reporting
mechanism for child sexual exploitation, has handled more than 313,000
leads. Since its establishment in 1984, NCMEC has assisted law enforcement
with more than 106,000 missing child cases, resulting in the recovery
of more than 92,000 children. For more information about NCMEC, call its
toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST of visit its web site at
www.missingkids.com.
About Qwest
Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q) is a leading provider
of voice, video and data services. With more than 40,000 employees, Qwest
is committed to the “Spirit of Service” and providing world-class
services that exceed customers’ expectations for quality, value
and reliability. For more information, please visit the Qwest Web site
at www.qwest.com.
Forward Looking Statement Note
This release may contain projections and other forward-looking statements
that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially
from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents
filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically
the most recent reports which identify important risk factors that could
cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking
statements, including but not limited to: access line losses due to increased
competition, including from technology substitution of our access lines
with wireless and cable alternatives; our substantial indebtedness, and
our inability to complete any efforts to de-lever our balance sheet through
asset sales or other transactions; any adverse outcome of the current
investigation by the U.S. Attorney's office in Denver into certain matters
relating to us; adverse results of increased review and scrutiny by regulatory
authorities, media and others (including any internal analyses) of financial
reporting issues and practices or otherwise; rapid and significant changes
in technology and markets; any adverse developments in commercial disputes
or legal proceedings, including any adverse outcome of current or future
legal proceedings related to matters that are the subject of governmental
investigations, and, to the extent not covered by insurance, if any, our
inability to satisfy any resulting obligations from funds available to
us, if any; potential fluctuations in quarterly results; volatility of
our stock price; intense competition in the markets in which we compete
including the likelihood of certain of our competitors consolidating with
other providers or otherwise reorganizing their capital structure to more
effectively compete against us; changes in demand for our products and
services; acceleration of the deployment of advanced new services, such
as broadband data, wireless and video services, which could require substantial
expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated
levels; higher than anticipated employee levels, capital expenditures
and operating expenses; adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative
environment affecting our business; changes in the outcome of future events
from the assumed outcome included in our significant accounting policies;
our ability to utilize net operating losses in projected amounts; our
inability to provide any assurance as to whether we will be successful
in our effort to acquire MCI, Inc.; and whether in the event of an acquisition
we realize synergies in the amounts, at the times and at the related costs
projected and whether regulatory approvals will be received within the
timeframe projected and that such approvals will not be materially adverse
to the projected operations of the combined company following the merger.
The information contained in this release is a statement of Qwest's
present intention, belief or expectation and is based upon, among other
things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market
conditions and prices, the economy in general and Qwest's assumptions.
Qwest may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and
without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in Qwest's assumptions
or otherwise. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this
release should be considered in connection with any subsequent written
or oral forward-looking statements that Qwest or persons acting on its
behalf may issue. This release may include analysts' estimates and other
information prepared by third parties for which Qwest assumes no responsibility.
Qwest undertakes no obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations
or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or
to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
By including any information in this release, Qwest does not necessarily
acknowledge that disclosure of such information is required by applicable
law or that the information is material.
The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications International
Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.
CONTACT:
Media Contact: Investor Contact:
Kathleen Lessman Stephanie Comfort
(303) 965-6924, 800-567-7296
kathleen.lessman@qwest.com IR@qwest.com
Communications Department
NCMEC
(703) 837-6111
media@ncmec.org
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