Hitting the “send” button can change the life of a youth forever. While the internet has opened up the doors to information and communication, sexting and online cyber bullying can have damaging consequences. Ready online access to information is both a blessing and a curse, putting a new, more frightening face onto familiar adolescent issues.

In a world where email, IM, text messaging, and social networking are vital parts of youth culture, how can we offer all young people the necessary guidance to be safe?

This training will help adults who are parents, teachers or youth serving professionals look at some of the technological tools available and will address ways to discuss and deter risky sexual behavior; cyber bullying and harassment.

Renée Best, PPSNE trainer, will offer an interactive and practical training. Participants will learn how adolescents communicate in the virtual world, and will gain tools and strategies to teach young people how to avoid falling victim to sexual harassment and cyber bullying.

Participants will:

• Examine the significant roll the internet plays in the lives of youth.
• Examine the risky behaviors youth employ on-line, like posting personal information, engaging in sexual behavior, harassment and cyber bullying.
• Explore the various ways the internet exposes youth and adults to situations that could threaten them into the future.
• Understand proven methods of reducing risky behavior on-line.
• Identify relevant federal, state and local laws, and social networking policies and regulations.

To bring this training to your school, youth services agency, or home, please contact us.