SOS Express News from Secretary of State Ruth Johnson

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SOS Johnson Rep Bishop and kids

SOS Johnson, U.S. Rep. Bishop promote child protection registry

It’s summertime, which means more free time for kids to play with their smart phones, tablets and other electronic gadgets.

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson and U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop want parents to know that there is an effective way to keep kids safe from adult-oriented online ads, even during those times when mom and dad can’t be present to supervise their child’s online activities.

It’s called the Michigan Child Protection Registry and Johnson and Bishop held a news conference June 20 at the media center of Clarkston’s Renaissance High School to promote this valuable resource. The registry is a free and secure program housed on the Secretary of State website that families and schools can use to block adult-oriented ads for products like alcohol, tobacco, pornography and online gambling from reaching their children’s email inboxes, tablets, cell phones or instant messenger IDs.

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“As much as we’d all like to, it is not possible to watch a child every minute of the day,” said Johnson, who has a teenage daughter. “It can be a struggle just to keep up with the new social media sites and online games our kids use. The ‘Protect MiChild’ website offers parents and caregivers a secure and simple way to put some controls in place regarding the Internet content their children see.”

Concerned parents or schools may register the electronic addresses for any devices children use at ProtectMiChild.com. The registry will block adult Internet ads for all registered contact points (such as an email address, smart phone number or instant messenger ID) for three years or until the youngest child with access to the contact point reaches the age of 18. 

Once the information has been entered into the registry, companies that send messages that advertise or link to prohibited products or services are required to remove the registered contact email, phone number or IM within 30 days from their mailing lists. Protect MiChild registrations may be renewed at any time for an additional three-year period.

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Don't be fooled by non-SOS websites

Don't be fooled by misleading websites that suggest an affiliation with the Michigan Secretary of State or "DMV" and offer transactions such as renewing your plate or driver's license. Make sure you visit a Michigan.gov website when using online services with the Secretary of State.

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SOS offices closed 
for 4th of July holiday

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson reminds residents that all offices and the Office of the Great Seal will close on Monday, July 4 in observance of Independence Day. 

Secretary of State SUPER!Centers that normally offer Saturday hours will be closed on Saturday, July 2.


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Register by July 5 to vote in Aug. election

Michigan residents have until Tuesday, July 5, to register to vote in the Aug. 2 primary election.

To check their registration status, residents may visit the Michigan Voter Information Center


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Distraction Demo

AT&T brought it's It Can Wait simulator to the Secretary of State SUPER!Center in Detroit on June 16 to help convince motorists to keep their eyes on the road.

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