With the internet readily available to students, both in and out of the classroom, it’s important for everyone - parents, guardians, and community members - to be aware of online threats our children could face in the virtual world. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, there was a 97.5% increase in online enticement reports between January to December 2020 versus the same period in 2019, as youth are more susceptible to online sexual exploitation by traffickers. It takes everyone, working together, to keep our students out of harms way. Therefore, South Harrison Community School Corporation is hosting an internet safety seminar for parents and guardians to learn how they can protect themselves and their children from online sexual exploitation.
In collaboration with Harrison County Sheriff Nick Smith and United States Secret Service Agent Rick Nord, South Harrison Community School Corporation has arranged internet safety seminars for students to heighten awareness surrounding child safety issues. These sessions are part of the Childhood Smart program facilitated by the U.S. Secret Service, which for more than 35 years, has worked with law enforcement, families and professionals on issues related to missing and exploited children.
Parents or guardians of children ages 5 to 17 years old are also encouraged to attend a one-hour seminar from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. on February 22 at South Central or February 23 at Corydon Central. As the parent presentation includes more detailed, potentially sensitive content not appropriate for younger children to hear, only parents, guardians or community members should attend the evening session. Again, please do not bring children to the evening presentations.
Students will attend a separate age-appropriate information session where law enforcement will discuss internet safety topics such as inappropriate content, online privacy, sexting, online sexual solicitations and cyberbullying. All staff and students at South Central Jr-Sr High School and Corydon Central will participate in a seminar on February 22 and February 23.
Safe internet use should be a concern of every family; therefore, SHCSC is inviting all parents and guardians and interested community members to attend one of the parent information sessions mentioned above. For questions about these student or parent seminars, contact SHCSC’s central office at 812-738-2168.