Baltimore County PD

The Ever-Changing Internet Presents Ever-Changing Problems
National Expert to Lead a Class for Parents on Internet Safety

Baltimore County, Md. (May 21, 2009) – On May 28 at 6:30 p.m. the Baltimore County Police Department and the Missing and Exploited Children’s Association will present a free class on Internet safety for parents. The two hour class will be held at the Baltimore County Public Safety Building, 700 E. Joppa Rd., Towson 21286.

The class is designed to bring parents’ attention to the Internet at a time of change and challenge. It is timed to coincide with the beginning of summer, when young people will have time on their hands, and their eyes on the computer screens.

The changing Internet presents new challenges for parents. The rapid growth of social media and the development of new teen practices such as “sexting” presents a constantly changing cyber-landscape and parents must be aware of their children’s Internet travels.

The class will be presented by Iris Beckwith of connectED4safety. Ms. Beckwith has 15 years of experience in prevention education.

Monitor Your Child’s Social Networking

According to Ms. Beckwith, children are living in a world where social networking, text messaging, gaming and downloading music are part of their everyday activities. It is fun, exciting, and “normal” for them. They are also living in a world where this technology brings cyberbullying, access to inappropriate photos and information, obsession about their online lives and confusion over what is ethical, safe, and secure behavior.

Even those parents and educators who believe that they are “tech-savvy,” says Ms. Beckwith, can be left feeling ill-equipped to deal with the issues that surround children’s connected activities. School administrators, teachers, churches, synagogues, and community groups have witnessed the impact of children’s online activities in their “offline” lives.

Ms. Beckwith will bring parents up-to-date information about online dangers, and provide practical, concrete advice on how to protect their children.