The Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, in partnership with the Pinellas County Sheriff\u2019s Office, has unveiled a new initiative to help protect Pinellas children from cybercrimes and human trafficking.<\/p>\n
At a Dec. 8 news conference at the Sheriff\u2019s Administration Building in Largo, JWB interim CEO Michael Mikurak announced that Pinellas parents, grandparents, caregivers and concerned citizens will now be able to receive a complimentary annual subscription to Parent ProTech. The platform offers tools to give adults a better understanding of modern technologies and how to help their children navigate them.<\/p>\n
These include videos and guides on topics including parental controls, social media and artificial intelligence. Additionally, the platform is overseen by experts who are actively studying developing digital trends, Mikurak said.<\/p>\n
Parent ProTech chief financial officer Ashby Green discussed how young people frequently use artificial intelligence chatbots for companionship. However, these bots have been instructing children to harm themselves or hide things from their parents.<\/p>\n
Parent ProTech has recently added new safety content to its platform to assist with these types of situations, he explained.<\/p>\n
Mikurak called the initiative \u201ctimely,\u201d as the holidays are approaching. This means students will have more time to engage with their electronic devices during break.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnology has reshaped the lives of children. Devices are central to their learning and social activities. But, it brings significant challenges,\u201d he explained. \u201cWhen JWB was created 80 years ago, stranger danger meant someone in a van offering candy to lure children away. Today, cyberbullies, human traffickers and online predators can enter homes 24\/7 through a child\u2019s phone, computer or gaming system.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to JWB, research has shown that there is a \u201cstrong\u201d link between online harassment and youth suicide. Suicide rates for individuals between the ages of 10 to 14 have increased 95% between 2000 and 2018.<\/p>\n
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri added that it\u2019s important that caregivers \u201cdo their part\u201d and ensure that the children they are responsible for do not do anything \u201cdetrimental\u201d with modern technologies.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese kids are vulnerable, especially the young ones,\u201d he said. \u201cA lot of them don\u2019t even know what they\u2019re getting into until they get into it and then they find out that they are in deep trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n
In Pinellas County alone, 1,800 sexual offenders and predators are monitored by the Sheriff\u2019s Office every day. These individuals often reoffend.<\/p>\n
\u201cParents need to be educated about this. They really don\u2019t know what they don\u2019t know about what\u2019s going on in this environment,\u201d Gualtieri explained. \u201cSo, something like Parent ProTech is going to give the parents the tools to do their job to help us help them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pinellas County Schools superintendent Kevin Hendrick also spoke at the event and stressed that the platform is a way to encourage healthy discussions about technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile Pinellas County Schools provides a comprehensive digital responsibility curriculum to our children, we recognize that there are not a lot of resources for parents and that\u2019s where Parent ProTech steps in,\u201d he said. \u201cWe look forward to sharing these essential components, the knowledge and tools, to give parents the opportunity to help educate at home just as we educate at school.\u201d<\/p>\n
To create a free Parent ProTech account, visit https:\/\/app.parentprotech.com\/jwb<\/a><\/p>\n