The issue of safety really hit home this week. Our church had an emergency meeting last Sunday. Since I'm on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee and I am the Charter Organization Representative for the Cub Scout pack that uses the church, I was asked to attend. The meeting was to discuss information discovered about a person who has been attending some of our church functions. There hadn't been any concern until this man was found trying to lure two of our young boys away from their mother to go outside with him. Another church member saw what was happening and followed them out. The church member suggested they go back inside with their mom. The mother was uncomfortable with the situation and voiced her concern with a church trustee. Upon research, it was found that this man was a level 3 sex offender who was not supposed to be anywhere near children. He is the worse offender our town has had, according to a police detective called in to investigate, with multiple sexual crimes against young boys. SCARY!!! Our church has a policy of inclusiveness but we also have a duty to protect our youth. Since this man violated his parole by trying to approach these boys, we now have a no trespassing order against him at our church. The public library and Boys and Girls club (across the street from where he now lives) have also set up no trespassing orders. But this is just one of 28 level 3 sex offenders who live in our town.
The subject of child safety, both on the web and in our communities is a real concern for everyone. Like I've been researching this week with the Internet safety assignment, there are those out in our communities who will exploit the trust of ourselves and our children to their our gains. We, as parents and educators, need to be aware of what is out there and how we can help those we've been entrusted to protect.

Internet Safety: Information for Parents video

This video brought to you by Google and Common Sense Media is a great introduction to parents on tips for internet safety for their children. I'll probably use it in my assignment this week: Internet Safety.

I thought about taking this assignments from a students point of view; use it as part of a Girl Scout project, and I will definitely be talking to "my girls" about this subject. Our Troop has a wiki for communication now and many of our girls are accessing the internet regularly for the first time. Internet safety is a subject it's imperative to discuss. However, most of the students have already been exposed to some sort of information through the school's computer teachers and librarians. Parents, on the other hand, have had mixed communication about the subject; many adults having more questions than the kids. If we can educate the parents to set guidelines and be aware of online safety, it can reduce the parent's fear and will help open communication with their children about this concern. Online safety begins with the parents.