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Parent network hosting Internet safety and social media education night [The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass.](Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, MA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Oct. 20--NORTH ANDOVER -- With more young people owning smartphones and engaging with one another on a multitude of social media applications, parents have to pay closer attention to what their kids are posting online. Matt Abel, assistant principal of North Andover Middle School, knows all too well what can happen when kids become too comfortable on the Internet. "I'd say about 50 percent of the issues we deal with have to do with Internet and apps," Abel said. "These issues have always been there, but now they are out there for everyone to see." The North Andover Parents Resource Network, in conjunction with the Building Respectful Community (BRC) committee, will host an Internet Safety and Social Media event in the NAMS auditorium, on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. Parents of children in grades four through 10 are encouraged to attend. A panel of educators, police officers and technology specialists will discuss topics such as privacy settings and cyber bullying. Parents have the opportunity to bring resources home with them at the end of the evening. According to Abel, BRC chairwoman Barbara Whidden approached him about putting on an event to educate parents on the digital dangers kids face. Abel then contacted Officer James Donovan, a detective in the Saugus Police Department and expert on Internet safety, to see if he would be interested in helping out. Donovan will serve as a guest on the panel. "It's been awesome to have the support of people like Officer Donovan." Abel said. "They are extremely passionate about this issue and we appreciate them taking the time to speak on this issue." Abel says kids must be aware of how they present themselves online and how the words they write, sometimes hurtful towards classmates, can get around to hundreds of people quickly. By educating parents, kids will begin to think twice before sending an mean text message or posting an inappropriate picture. Phones are not allowed in school, and Abel and other teachers do their best to provide guidance to students on the issue. But once the bell rings, the responsibility lies on the parents to monitor their children's online behavior. "For a lot of parents, they don't want to violate that trust with their kid," Abel said. "But sometimes, you have to take the initiative. It could save a kid from making a terrible mistake." The event is free, open to the public and those interested do not have to register beforehand. For more information, contact the North Andover Parent Resource Network at [email protected]. ___ (c)2014 The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.) Visit The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.) at www.eagletribune.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |