By SAVANNAH BARR

s.barr@bradfordera.com

Many of us, including children, use the internet every day. Whether it be through social media, messaging apps or online games, children are getting more and more exposure to the digital world. In the same way we teach our children to be aware of strangers in the real world, we also need to warn them of dangers in the digital world.

With that aim in mind, the Zonta Club of Bradford will host a free community event to raise awareness of internet threats and human trafficking. The event will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Riverstone Community Church. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and extra parking is available in the Save-A-Lot parking lot.

Speakers for the event will be state Sen. Cris Dush (R-25); Doug Lengenfelder, field rep-resentative for Dush; and McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer.

Zonta President Ronda Skoken was inspired to organize this event after several conversations with Dush and Lengenfelder.

‘This is a big problem in our area and I don’t think that parents are aware,’ Skoken said. ‘It’s happening right in kids’ bedrooms, on their video games and on their cell phones.’

In addition to the speakers, there will be community resources and advocates available.

‘We want parents and teens to walk away from this event with some skills and tools to know what to do if they encounter this kind of behavior online,’ said Skoken. ‘For those who have been down this road before, there will be advocates there that they can

Safe… page A-8 talk to.” There will be 12 tables full of resources for teens and their families.

Zonta member Shelley Alcorn has been made aware of this problem through her work as YWCA program director.

“This is a big problem in our area that doesn’t get enough attention,” said Alcorn.

The grooming process can lure children into a sense of safety, so it is important to recognize the warning signs.

“Not only do parents not know this is happening but sometimes the kids don’t even realize it is happening to them due to the grooming process,” said Skoken. “Predators spend a lot of time grooming these kids before they ask them to actually meet up somewhere.”

When parents were young, they were taught about stranger danger. These days, children are just as vulnerable to strangers online as they are in real life.

“These days, the creepy white van is in your kid’s bedroom,” said Alcorn. “There are huge safety concerns that I don’t believe people are truly aware of.”

These presentations will be appropriate for teenage children as well as adults, Skoken noted.

“I think this presentation will be perfect for teens, their families, as well as other local organizations such as community clubs,” said Skoken.

Awareness and education can make a big difference. Making sure that kids are safe online is a continuous process.

“If kids are using apps we always recommend that parents use parental controls and limit screen time,” said Alcorn. “You want to continuously monitor who your children are talking to and what apps they are using.”

Some platforms that pose a danger to children include everything from Snapchat to WhatsApp, Facebook and even YouTube — basically, anywhere a conversation with strangers can begin.

“There is one app that looks like a calculator but is actually an instant messenger service,” said Alcorn. “Parents need to be aware of these kinds of things and realize that this is an ongoing conversation you should be having with your children.”

Some of the warning signs that children may be being exploited digitally are children who are obsessive about being online. Many times, predators pretend to be someone they are not — usually another child.

“If your kids start talking about friends who aren’t from around here or mentioning names that you don’t recognize, that is a point of concern,” said Alcorn.

While this can be a tricky conversation to begin, it is just as important to make sure children are safe from strangers online as they are from strangers in real life.

“We know we have to talk to our children about how to behave appropriately in public but we also need to talk to them about how to behave appropriately online,” said Alcorn.

For those at a loss, this event is sure to be a great way to begin the conversation.

“Knowledge is power when it comes to things like this,” said Alcorn. “This is going to be a great talk and a good way to learn more about the dangers posed to kids online.”