The Pennington County / Rapid City Computer Crime Unit is announcing March Internet Safety Month, in an effort to curtail the epidemic of Internet Predators. Internet safety is one of the fastest rising topics in today’s society when it comes to protecting our children. Everyday the media reports a child has been targeted by an online predator, whether it’s an undercover officer posing as a child or an actual child behind the keyboard that has been victimized. One in five children receive an online sexual solicitation each year; 29% of children online will freely give out personal information to a cyber-stranger. With the advancement of technology, it is easier for our children to be exploited and victimized and we must take a pro-active approach to the problem. 

 

Area School Liaison Officers and Crime Prevention Officers have been educating local children in how to be safer online. On March 29th , the Computer Crime Unit will present a NetSmartz Workshop to parents. In the presentation, the investigators will help provide the missing link; INFORMATION. They will be discussing online predators, cyber-bullying, file-sharing, and social networking. The goal is to

EDUCATE- teach the issues,

ENGAGE- give parents and children the ability to recognize and avoid dangers online,

EMPOWER- make the internet safer.

 

The Computer Crime Unit will present the NETSMARTZ Workshop at Dakota Middle School (615 Columbus Street, Rapid City) on Saturday, March 29th at 6:00 pm.