2021 Conference: Katie Greer Presents “Digital Safety and Kids: What’s New? What’s Now? What’s Next?”
Did you know that students ages eight to eighteen spent an average of seven and a half hours each day in front of screens – before COVID-19!? As our screen time continues to increase and our access to technology expands, it is imperative that school staff are aware of the latest trends and dangers impacting kids and the tools available to help kids have safer and more productive experiences online.
Katie Greer, who will be presenting about this important topic, earned her Masters degree in Criminal Justice from Salem State University, is a member of the National Criminal Justice Honors Society and the National Sociological Honors Society, and is pursuing her PhD in Criminology with a focus on tween and teen online socialization. Participants in Katie’s session will learn about the most popular social media apps, privacy and permanency concerns, and popular aspects of these trending apps. The issue of screen addiction and balance will also be discussed, as participants learn ways to help students have a more balanced approach to technology both in the classroom and beyond. Finally, hot topic issues such as sexting and cyberbullying will be addressed.
Katie began developing an Internet safety program to deliver to Massachusetts students in 2005 when the Corruption, Fraud and Computer Crime Division of the Attorney General’s Office was inundated with requests for Internet safety presentations. After leaving the Attorney General’s Office, Katie worked full time as an Intelligence Analyst for the Massachusetts State Police, where she was assigned to the Missing Children Clearinghouse and subsequently became the Outreach Coordinator for the Vermont Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Concurrently, and in large part due to the increasing demands for technology/Internet safety education, Katie expanded her programs and created KL Greer Consulting. Katie instructs students, parents, teachers, administrators, and law enforcement officials on Internet Safety and a variety of other issues pertaining to technology safety and responsibility.
Education Administrators, Teachers, School Psychologists/Guidance Counselors, School Resource Officers (SROs), Law Enforcement, Local/State Emergency Managers, Fusion Center Analysts, Crisis Intervention Units, Counselors & Mental Health Specialists, School Social Workers, School Safety Professionals, and other school safety stakeholders interested in attending Katie Greer’s presentation should register for the July 2021 MCSS School Safety Summer Conference at http://conference2021.safeschoolsmd.org/.