Back-to-School Homework Day 4: Digital Dangers for Students

Download the See It, Say It, Send It app to Report School Threats

In today’s world, students spend a significant amount of learning time on electronic devices. The internet has become an essential tool for children of all ages, whether it’s used to research schoolwork or communicate with peers. However, going online can make kids vulnerable to predators.

What’s more? Many students are carrying a cell phone with them at all times. While convenient, their connectivity puts potential threats directly in their back pocket. The Minnesota Department Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) encourages parents to discuss proper device etiquette with students before they go back to school.

There’s good reason why parents and educators alike are worried about digital dangers. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) says one in seven children online is being groomed.

• Predators are actively working to meet children on any app and on any online game. They will use information like a child’s school, team names, teacher names and more to build a relationship with them.
• Sextortion is a growing problem. Talk to your children about the risks involved in sending or sharing provocative images.
• Cyber bullying can have deadly consequences. Talk to your kids about being a good digital citizen. Remind them not to make, “like” or share mean comments.
• Report instances of inappropriate online contact to the new BCA tip app See It Say It Send It.

Talking about safety online early and often is the best way to keep your child safe. Conservations should start when they’re young and last through college. Get some conversation starters at: http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents.

The BCA launched a tip app in 2021 called— See It, Say It, Send It — to make it easier for people to report threats of violence targeting Minnesota schools. The BCA’s See It, Say It, Send It app is available to all students, parents and staff. Tips can be anonymous. The BCA works with our partners to plan a response when incidents occur, but the tip app is designed to help us learn about threatened and planned violence — so that we can try to stop it before it occurs. One tip can save a life. The BCA triages the information, notifies local law enforcement and assists as needed with the response to criminal activity. The BCA also notifies appropriate authorities when the tip involves something that isn’t criminal in nature. The app is not intended to replace local law enforcement or an existing school security plan. Those contacts should still be made and people should always call 911 first in case of an ongoing incident or an immediate threat. Since it was launched, the BCA has received about two dozen tips through the tip app. More importantly, nearly 400,000 Minnesotans – 7 percent of the total population – have downloaded the app. For more information on the See It, Say It, Send It app and instructions on how to download it, please visit the BCA website.