Kids on computers at a Lake Highlands after-school program.

Kids work on on computers at a Lake Highlands after-school program. Photo by Can Turkyilmaz

The Forest Meadow Junior High PTA, in an attempt to keep young teens safe from online predators, cyberbullies, identity theft and other dangers, is hosting a program called NETSMARTZ. It’s a workshop for parents created by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and it will be led by folks brought in from the Texas PTA.

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The statistics are frightening – one in five children will receive a sexual solicitation online. Most kids – 75% – are willing to share personal information about themselves or their family in exchange for goods or services.

The workshop, to be held Monday, February 4 at 7 p.m. in the FMJH library, will help parents understand the dangers and deal with issues such as sexting, blogging, webcams, cellphones and chat rooms. Parents will learn to engage and empower children to be safer online.

The program will follow a brief PTA meeting.

Author

  • Carol Toler

    Blogger CAROL TOLER and her husband, Toby, are the parents of four LHHS graduates. She has an MBA from SMU and is the proud recipient of the Exchange Club of LH's Unsung Hero Award and Councilman McGough's Blake Anderson Public Service Award. She received LHHS PTA's Extended Service Award, FMJH PTA's Charger Award and a Life Membership from the LHFC PTA. She has moderated candidate debates for Dallas Mayor, Dallas City Council and RISD Trustee races and taught seminars on garnering publicity for nonprofits. She completed training with Dallas Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation and Inside RISD, and she's a sustaining member of LH Women's League. She has served on the boards of After8 to Educate, Dallas Free Press, Healing Hands Ministries and Camp Sweeney and chaired fundraisers for multiple Dallas nonprofits. Email ctoler@advocatemag.com.