School to host Internet safety presentation for parents

St. Joseph CCSD # 169 wants to help parents keep track of their kids online.
“With the amount of cyberbullying going on with students and the number of parents that aren’t aware of all the social media platforms and how they work, we felt it was our responsibility to help educate the parents,” said Curriculum and Technology Coordinator Mike Sennert.

The district is helping educate parents by holding a presentation on Feb. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the middle school cafeteria.

The presentation will feature Christine Feller, an Internet Safety Specialist from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. Feller presented at St. Joseph-Ogden High School last year. Her presentations focus on Internet safety, thinking critically about accepting friends and followers on social media and how parents should talk to kids about social media use.

Sennert said he hopes parents will take away from the presentation that social media and the Internet can pose a danger to children and that they should have honest and open talks with their kids.

“I hope it will encourage parents to monitor their children’s social media accounts,” he said.

Parents can RSVP here.

The St. Joseph Middle School Student Council and their teacher sponsor will provide childcare for children five and up whose parents want to attend the presentation.  They will have activities for the students to do in the Middle School Gym during the presentation.