BCAT News

As part of an effort to help families better understand online risks facing children and teens, Burlington Public Schools  will partner with SmartSocial to offer a series of free, live virtual presentations throughout the month of February.

The series, titled “Avoiding Strangers and Dangerous Situations Online,” is focused on educating families about how online predators connect with young users through social media, gaming platforms, and other online interactions that may initially appear harmless.

“This has become a national crisis, and it’s happening right here in Burlington,” said Superintendent Dr. Eric Conti. “Adults are posing as kids, building trust through games and social media, then manipulating children into sending inappropriate photos or arranging dangerous meetings. Every parent needs to understand how these predators operate.”

According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, there has been a sharp increase in crimes targeting children online, including online enticement, the use of artificial intelligence to create or manipulate images, and child sex trafficking. Many cases begin through everyday online interactions involving gaming or social media platforms.

The February presentations will focus on how strangers contact children online, warning signs that someone may not be who they claim to be, what information children should never share, how to respond when an online interaction feels uncomfortable, and how parents can stay informed without invading privacy.

“Parents often don’t realize the chat feature in their child’s favorite game is essentially an unmonitored social network,” said Josh Ochs, founder of SmartSocial. “Predators know this. They blend in, gain trust, and convince kids to keep secrets. Our goal is to give families the tools to recognize these tactics before harm occurs.”