Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is hosting a free Internet safety program for parents, students and community members next month, Oct. 7-8, at two area high schools. Attendees can learn about Internet safety, including cyberbullying, photo postings, use of Apps, poor social media behavior and responsible use of social media.
The Oct. 7 program is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at North Point High School, and the program on Oct. 8 is from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Charles High School. Featured will be Richard Guerry, founder of the non-profit organization the Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication (IROC2), and his program on Internet safety. Attendees will learn about trends among negative and malicious digital behavior and how they can help others learn how to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of cyber-crime, cyberbullying and digital exploitation.
As part of the program, CCPS seventh graders are able to attend the program during the school day on Oct. 7-8 during a school field trip. Parents of seventh graders can check with their child’s school for a permission slip or for additional details.
Guerry’s program on responsible technology use and cyber safety received an Exemplary School Safety Program Award by the School Safety Advocacy Council. Additionally Guerry has been featured as an expert on digital safety on CNN and as part of MTV’s Thin Line Campaign, which educates young adults on the dangers of digital abuse and cyberbullying.
The school system highlights several bullying prevention activities year round, with an additional emphasis on student participation during the month of October as part of National Bullying Prevention Month. The Oct. 7-8 program is sponsored by the Governor’s Office for Children, the Charles County Children’s Aid Society and the Charles County Advocacy Council for Children, Youth, and Families. CCPS features several bullying prevention and Internet safety resources on the school system website, under the counseling section. Visit http://www.ccboe.com/departments/counseling/.