Childhelp & Meta teach kids how to stay safe on the internet

Childhelp has teamed up with Meta to develop a first-of-its-kind education curriculum to teach middle schoolers how to stay safe online, including how to recognize grooming, sextortion scams and other types of online exploitation. The initiative includes videos as well that show what to do if they or someone they know needs help.

Michael Medoro, Chief of Staff and COO of Childhelp, joined “Arizona Horizon” to talk about the new initiatives.

“Staying safe from online harm is really designed to be able to address what’s really becoming an epidemic in middle school years. We are seeing a rise in not understanding how to stay safe on social media platforms and the rise in sextortion, specifically for children between the ages of 14 and 17,” Medoro said.

The “Speak Up Be Safe” curriculum was developed in partnership with Arizona State University. Medoro shared some insight into what their lessons can offer to students.

“It is the only evidence based prevention education curriculum on the market today designed to educate students pre-K through 12th grade not only on the signs and symptoms of abuse, but more importantly what to do when they witness or experience abuse. And that’s really what this sextortion module is all about, to help educate students on recognizing those dangers,” Medoro said.