Scott Driscoll of Internet Safety Concepts gave the first of multiple presentations titled “Empowering Smart Online Choices” on Tuesday, October 13, at Reed Intermediate School for students. He later shared his presentation with Newtown Middle School students and with district parents during an evening event at C.H. Booth Library.

The school district’s PTAs, PTSA, and the Newtown Prevention council sponsored the presentations.

Mr Driscoll is a former youth officer and member of the federal Internet Crimes Against Children Task force, with more than 23 years of law enforcement and child safety advocacy behind him. He created his company, Internet Safety Concepts, to educate parents and students about social media, cyberbullying, and the long-term impacts of posting potentially sensitive content to websites, apps, and by text, according to a description for the presentations.

Near the start of his first presentation, Mr Driscoll encouraged Reed students to speak to their teachers or counselors afterward if they have further questions or concerns about using the Internet.

Mr Driscoll told the students that good things can happen because of the Internet, but if control is lost, bad things can also happen. He asked the students to think about whether they are using programs that use the Internet is a safe way.

“Because we connect so fast,“ said Mr Driscoll about the ease that applications afford users, “we forget sometimes just how widespread some of our information can go.”

Mr Driscoll also warned about the dangers of making fake e-mail accounts to get around age restrictions.

“At your age you should be able to show your parents everything you do online,” he said.

Topics discussed included texting, playing video games, and using apps, like Instagram and Snapchat.

“I always focus on safety,” said Mr Driscoll, while sharing his own experience as examples for how not to share personal information while playing online group video games. When asked for his personal information, Mr Driscoll said he does not share it, and if the situation becomes uncomfortable he stops playing with that group.

When sharing pictures, Mr Driscoll reminded the students that everything shared may become public, if more people share them, too.

“Every time we hit send or share we lose control,” said Mr Driscoll, explaining that friends may help spread a photo to other friends.

If they learn of someone being mistreated online, Mr Driscoll encouraged the students to reach out to their “support system,“ pointing to the educators in the room for the assembly.

More information about Mr Driscoll and Internet Safety Concepts is available at internetsafetyconcepts.com.