News Flash

The world has changed from when parents were growing up. Teaching your children stranger danger is no longer enough. Predators can reach your children, even in your home, through the internet and social media.

We are hosting a Parent Safety Academy to help Parker parents learn what they can do to protect their children in the digital age. Officer Essman will be leading this conversation at the Parker Police Department Tuesday, April 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

In today’s age, ensuring your child’s safety online is just as important as teaching them to look both ways when they cross the street. It is important to implement simple security measures on laptops, tablets and mobile phones. You need to make sure every digital device they use has safeguards implemented. These devices can help maintain their privacy as well as allow you to monitor their social media usage.

It is very important that parents are knowledgeable about the different tools kids use to communicate with each other. Equally important is learning the tricks and tools kids use to try and hide their online behavior from parents. It can be as simple as having two different accounts, but only showing one to their parents, or as complicated as ghost apps that hide secret photos and videos. Learning what to look for and how to find it is critical for monitoring your child’s online behavior.

Officer Essman is also the Youth Education and Safety in Schools (Y.E.S.S.) instructor at Parker Schools. She will talk to parents about the messages that she delivers to students in these classes. This will give parents the opportunity to reinforce these messages at home.

The class will also explain the importance of being a good digital citizen. After you talk to your child about how to report and resolve issues of cyber-bullying, it is important to have the conversation with them about being a good digital citizen when using the internet. Don’t say something online that you wouldn’t say in person.

Registration will open April 9 at 6:30 p.m. at this link. 

Class size will be limited to 40 and preference will be given to Parker residents.