WESTFIELD – Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Community Safety and Outreach Unit recently delivered an important lesson in digital safety to students at White Oak School.
The DA’s office’s signature internet safety presentation highlighted the permanence of online activity and practical ways to stay safe.
Members of the specialized unit led age-appropriate discussions with students, focusing on cyberbullying, social media use, online predators, digital privacy, and the lasting impact of online behavior. The core message was what students do on their phones is permanent. Once a photo is sent, it is no longer in their control on who can see or receive it, and truly, there is no way to get it back or prevent it from spreading further.
Director of Community Safety and Outreach Tony Simmons and Deputy Director Gina Anselmo shared tips on app usage. They also cautioned that popular online games such as Roblox and Fortnite are frequently used by strangers to initiate contact with young people and reminded students never to respond to messages from unknown users.
Anselmo explained that it can start with something simple like, “I go to Forest Park School, where do you go?” If a student were to say, “I go to White Oak School and I play baseball,” Anselmo said that person could then find out when baseball practice is and show up.
Ainsley Petell, a senior at White Oak School and member of the Hampden District Attorney’s Youth Advisory Board, joined the unit for the second internet safety presentation for grades 4-7. As Petell delivered her presentation, she stood before a newly installed television purchased with funds she earned for the school through Gulluni’s annual Stop the Swerve program. Her winning poster secured the top prize in last winter’s competition and the award money was directed back to White Oak School to purchase equipment that enhances student learning.
Petell spoke with a group of nearly 20 students, asking them questions as simple as who has a phone, to what they like to do online.
Hampden District Attorney’s Office offers muliple programs to promote education, prevention, and youth empowerment across the county. The office regularly collaborates with schools and community partners to support the health and safety of young people.
For more information about the internet safety presentation or to request a presentation at your school, contact Gina Anselmo at gina.anselmo@mass.gov.
