BLMS Parent Academy II focuses on internet safety
Most of us are used to seeing people of all ages entranced by their phones, but the influence the small devices have on young people cannot be ignored or underestimated. Especially when that influence can, so often, be negative.
With that in mind, Benjamin Logan Schools chose Digital Empowerment as the topic of their second Parent Academy event, which will be held at Benjamin Logan High School on Thursday, March 23, from 6 to 8 p.m.
“If parents care about keeping their children safe from the social media dangers of human trafficking, child abuse, predators tracking them and trying to exploit or meet up with them, they should attend this free opportunity,” Benjamin Logan Middle School Principal Scott Frederick said.
The school will bring in guest speaker Scott Frank, a former law enforcement officer who fought internet crimes against children for over a decade. Besides being a computer forensics expert, Frank’s unique perspective comes from 36 years as an investigator. As a result, he’s spent thousands of hours immersed in the dark side of online crime.
According to Frederick, the school has seen a drastic increase in office referrals for inappropriate behavior directly tied to social media. “TikTok and Snapchat are so damaging,” he said. “Cell phones have not only disrupted students’ education, they have made parenting much more difficult. The development of our children is being hampered, yet we all just accept it.”
The first Parent Academy in January, which addressed the dangers associated to vaping and other drugs, was a clear success. Besides bringing in 65 parents, the positive response led to $1,200 in donations toward Frank’s appearance.
BLMS received $100 from the BLMS PTS Support Group and another $100 from the Good Clean Laundry Soap Company. Plus the Logan County Sheriff’s Office Auxiliary and the Logan County Behind the Badge organization each donated $500.
That first academy—titled “Hidden In Plain Sight”—“set the stage for many topics to be presented in the future at BLMS,” Frederick said.
Contact the middle school office or use the QR code on the flyer to reserve your seat today. Questions may be directed to the office at 937-599-2386. You can learn more by visiting digitalempowermentproject.com.
This event is free and open to the public. All local school superintendents, principals and counselors have been extended an invitation.
