Protecting The Children: Chesco Online Summit Thursday, March 30

CHESTER COUNTY, PA —Parents and guardians who are interested in learning how to better protect their children online can attend a free virtual summit from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 30.

"The Chester County Safe Schools Summit: Parenting in a Digital World" will teach parents about current social media apps and platforms, increase their awareness of digital interaction threats, and identify steps they can take to keep their children safe.

The event, coordinated by the Chester County Intermediate Unit, will feature presentations from Detective Bernard Martin of the Chester County District Attorney’s Office and Danielle Moore, an education and outreach specialist for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

Martin and Moore will explore the digital connections children make through social media, gaming systems, and various online applications. There will also be time allotted for a question-and-answer session.

State Sen. Carolyn Comitta, a Chester County Democrat, said that it seems that every day there are new apps, social media trends, digital platforms, and opportunities to connect online.

“Unfortunately, with those opportunities comes the potential for danger – be it from predators, cyberbullies, or scammers,” said Comitta, who serves on the Senate Education Committee.

“Knowledge is power. And it’s important that parents are informed, educated, and empowered to prepare their kids to safely navigate the digital world.”

The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the District Attorney’s Child Abuse Unit, and law enforcement throughout the county are working tirelessly to track down these predators and keep our kids safe, officials said.

“This summit is an excellent way to learn concrete examples of how we can protect them from harm,” Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry and young people are going to be online and the best way to protect them is to teach them how to protect themselves.

Dr. George F. Fiore, Chester County Intermediate executive director, said he is grateful for the collaboration between legislatures, educators, law enforcement, and the district attorney’s office to keep the children safe.

“Educating and empowering parents about internet safety is crucial in today’s digital age and by fostering a culture of awareness and responsibility, parents can create a safer online environment for their children and ensure that they use the internet responsibly,” he said.

According to the Youth Internet Safety Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice, one in five children, ages 10 to 17, received unwanted sexual solicitations online.

Registration for the summit is available here.