Resources available to teach kids about online safety

The Internet is a fascinating place to explore, but it can be dangerous, especially for kids. Predators lurk online, always looking for vulnerable people to exploit. Children are often targeted.

Know2Protect is a national public awareness campaign developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to educate and empower children, teens, parents, and educators to prevent and combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse. The program describes what exploitation is, provides resources and tools to help children and teens avoid becoming victims, and empowers communities to act, report abuse, and support victims and survivors of exploitation.

The campaign has videos and educational materials available free of charge to schools across South Dakota. Educators can find these resources online on the Know2Protect website. The campaign also has short videos to educate kids and adults about digital safety.

Please take time to watch the videos and explore the resources available, and share them with parents and students where appropriate.

Looking for South Dakota-specific resources? Don’t forget about the Department of Public Safety, Office of Homeland Security’s School Safety Center. More info is available at Safe2Say.