SOUTHWICK – A girl scout troop in town went to the Southwick Public Library to learn about the dangers of the internet. Southwick Police Lieutenant Kevin Bishop hosted an hour long seminar in the conference room of the library.
According to Bishop, the last time that the event was done was seven years ago. Being a former D.A.R.E. officer throughout the school district, Bishop has knowledge about the event and what its importance is.
“This is a presentation that we used to have in years past,” said Bishop. “With Chief Ricardi, he thought it was important to bring it back to the community.”
The majority of the girls in the troop were seventh graders but there were also a few fifth and six graders and they are all in the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School District.
Bishop gave a power point presentation in order to go more in depth with the safety concerns regarding the internet.
The four main parts of the presentation consisted of inappropriate content, online privacy, online sexual solicitations, and cyber bullying.
Part of the issue with the inappropriate content is the exposure young kids can have using social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and so on.
The girl’s scout troop in Southwick got a presentation about the dangers of the internet from Southwick Police Lieutenant Kevin Bishop. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Bishop explained to the troop the importance of being careful of what you say online, what pictures you put up, and anything else that would go out to the internet.
“What you put on the internet today is there forever,” said Bishop.
When seeing any inappropriate content, including adult activities and hate speech, Bishop advised the girls that they turn off the computer screen or use the back button to turn off the computer. But, the most important thing to do is to tell a trusted adult as well as possibly reporting the activity to that website or the application if using a smartphone.
Bishop also went into what a child should do if they see a friend or someone they know online saying any dangerous things towards someone else or to themselves. The lieutenant preached to the girls that telling someone about that type of activity is the right thing to do and worrying about what that person is going to think about them shouldn’t be the concern.
“At least that person is still going to be safe,” said Bishop.
For online privacy, the main theme involved the fact that things on the internet can spread rather quickly. Any personal information like passwords, home address, and home phone number and cell phone numbers, should be kept private to people online that you don’t know or don’t think you can trust.
Being careful of what you say was also crucial to Bishop’s presentation about online privacy. He suggested the troop be extremely careful of making any jokes that could potentially sound like threats or bullying.
Another key aspect to Bishop’s message was the dangers of online dating. Bishop went on to say that you don’t know who that person is and that online predators tend to use a tactic called grooming or fishing.
Grooming or fishing usually means that the predator will do their research and try to flatter their target by complimenting them, building up their confidence, and even buying them gifts to make them feel special.
Lieutenant Kevin Bishop speaks to the troop about different dangers to be aware of when surfing the internet. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
“These are real life things that happen out here,” said Bishop.
After Bishop finished his presentation, the entire troop was thankful for his valuable insight.
“It was helpful,” said Averion Glynn.
“It’ll help us be more mature,” said Ana-Lois Davis.
Parent and co-troop leader, Ana-Maria Davis saw the event as one of importance for the troop.
“It’s really important that they know what’s out there,” said Davis. “Technology is changing so much.”
The girl’s scout troop wasn’t done thanking Bishop as they gave him a giant gift basket that they all helped create. The troop then took a photo with Bishop.
Bishop noted that this program is available from kindergarten classes to community groups and parents, as well as people of all ages.
