I would like to take the opportunity to thank those of you who attended our parent workshop on Monday night on cyber safety. Our speaker, Gregory Schiller, an Assistant State Attorney in the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, provided some very helpful information on keeping our children safe online.
Through firsthand accounts of cases he has prosecuted, Mr. Schiller was able to help the audience members understand that communication with our children is critical. Mr. Schiller shared information about the CyberTipline, an important resource for you and your children. Should your child receive any photos or videos containing obscene content, be asked to meet in person from someone online, or be spoken to online by someone in a sexual manner, please call 1-800-843-5678 or send an e-mail to CyberTipline.com. All calls are anonymous.
As Mr. Schiller reminded us, our smartphones are “computers that happen to make phone calls.” When looking at it in this way, it is imperative for our children to understand both the benefits and dangers of online behavior. Children and young adults often do not understand the long-term impact of their digital footprint on their future. Talking openly and often about the potential legal ramifications, as well as the potential harm to their reputation is crucial.
I have included an article from ADL entitled “The Grown Folks Guide to Popular APPS in Social Media. I highly recommend you take the time to read through the list for your own knowledge and discuss them with your children. Knowledge is power. Click here to access this very useful resource.
Sydney Siegel, LCSW
Director of Student Services, K-12
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