Bibb County Schools Host NetSmartz Internet Safety Program
By Sheila Duncan
Reporter
On November 5, 2024, the Bibb County School District partnered with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) to bring the NetSmartz Internet Safety Program to our students. This program educates children ages 5-17, along with trusted adults, on safe online habits and responsible digital citizenship through engaging, age-appropriate presentations.
Students learned how to stay safer online, handle inappropriate requests, and practice respect and kindness in digital spaces. The program also covered safe choices for sharing personal information and reporting disturbing content.
A special Parent Night was held on Thursday, November 7, from 5:00-6:00 p.m., where experts from NCMEC provided valuable insights and resources to help families protect children in the digital world.
Parents are encouraged to explore NCMEC’s free NetSmartz resources, such as tip sheets, videos, and guides, to reinforce these safety skills at home. Visit NCMEC.org/NetSmartz for more information. If you suspect child exploitation, report it at CyberTipline.org or call 1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678).
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding missing children, preventing child exploitation, and reducing child victimization. Since 1998, NCMEC has operated the CyberTipline to gather reports of child exploitation online and offline.
For more details, visit NCMEC.org/CyberTiplineData.
