Officials Bring Message of Online Safety to Students at a Delaware County School
By tech editor Ian Bush
BRYN MAWR, Pa. (CBS) -- Federal and local law enforcement officials are taking a novel approach to keeping kids safe online. Today, at a school on the Main Line, it involved a more traditional form of "social media."
At Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, where those with a badge were meeting those with a backpack, "The police will be around to mix and mingle socially, so if students want to ask questions they can do that in a casual atmosphere," head of school Sister Matthew Anita explained.
It's part of a new program by Homeland Security Investigations, a division of the US Department of Homeland Security, called "iGuardian."
"Students do listen," says William Walker, assistant special agent in charge in Philadelphia. "They just need to be educated in the right way, and in a tactful way."
Presentations are tailored to different age groups.
Tim Boyce, with the Delaware County DA's office, says there are lessons on avoiding online predators and the pitfalls of revealing too much information.
"These children are being exploited by people who are pretty sophisticated," he notes. "To that end, our need to be there and have that open conversation with them hopefully will make a difference in saving some young lives."
