Providing Digital Safety Measures

Overview

Technology serves many purposes in the field of education such as to support learning and to store data. Schools have unique needs and challenges when it comes to safety and security. All of these factors must be considered when choosing the right digital safety measures. 

Schools often use technology to enhance the educational experience and make learning more accessible to a diverse range of learners. While leveraging digital resources, schools have the educational obligation to provide a safe, secure, and supportive learning environment for students and staff. With social media threats on the rise all facilities should have resources and programs designed to protect against security threats inherent to the use of technological tools. Prevention is key when considering how to mitigate security risks, threats, and emergency situations. 

Additionally, the amount of data that educational organizations deal with has grown exponentially. School districts and charter schools should be invested in keeping data secure due to the high level of sensitive information being stored. It is wise to develop a plan for cybersecurity that is reviewed annually.

Safe Use of Technology, as outlined by the Utah State Board of Education, emphasizes creating safe, informed, and responsible digital environments for students. The initiative supports schools in promoting healthy online behaviors and preventing technology-related risks. It also connects LEAs with professional learning and technical assistance to strengthen digital safety practices statewide. This focus helps ensure that students can navigate 

Cyber Security

National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), under leadership from the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), has focused its previous messages around a theme of 'Our Shared Responsibility.' This year, NCSAM moves to a new overarching theme, 'Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT,' to help encourage personal accountability and proactive behavior in digital privacy, security best practices, common cyber threats and cybersecurity careers. NCSAM seeks to convey messages about online safety and identify opportunities for behavior change through this year's theme.

Own IT

  • Never Click and Tell: staying safe on social media
  • Update Privacy Settings
  • Keep Tabs on Your Apps: best practices for device applications

Secure IT

  • Shake Up Your Passphrase Protocol: create strong, unique passphrases
  • Double Your Login Protection: turn on multi-factor authentication
  • Shop Safe Online
  • Play Hard to Get With Strangers: How to spot and avoid phish

Protect IT

  • If You Connect, You Must Protect: updating to the latest security software, web browser and operating systems
  • Stay Protected While Connected: Wi-Fi safety
  • If You Collect It, Protect It: keeping customer/consumer data and information safe

Your community can get involved in NCSAM through social media and by taking action on campus.

  • Follow the National Cyber Security Alliance on X, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn to receive the latest online safety news and resources. Share and repost this information with others.
  • Post online safety tips and reminders about NCSAM on your social media networks. Use the hashtags #BeCyberSmart and #CyberAware.
  • Download and share sample social media posts from the NCSAM Resources Library leading up to and throughout the month on social media - download and share them all or customize them to your needs and interests!
  • Become a NCSAM Champion and show your organization or campus' official involvement in the month. It's free and simple to sign up.
  • Post the NCSAM Images and Logos to your campus' external or internal website. You can link to the NCSAM "About" page to provide more info.
  • Host a training for campus faculty and staff on cybersecurity. Check out the Free ESET Cybersecurity Awareness Training as a great resource.
  • Host a poster/video content for students in which participants create informative online safety resources. Display the winning entries at school or share them with your community.

Safe Use of Technology

Utah Code Section 53G-9-703: Parent education -- Mental health -- Bullying -- Safety -- Video presentation regarding student use of technology focuses on empowering parents with knowledge and tools to help keep students safe online. It requires the creation of educational resources, including video presentations, to address potential risks related to technology use, such as sexting, privacy concerns, and digital safety.

For more information, visit the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Unmask the dangers of social media website.

Tools or Tips to Monitor Phones 

  • Set Clear Rules: Explain why monitoring is necessary and agree on boundaries before installing apps.
  • Enable Built-In Features: Use Apple’s Screen Time or Google Family Link before considering third-party apps.
  • Schedule Screen-Free Time: Enforce device-free periods (e.g., meals, bedtime).
  • Monitor Social Media: Use apps to detect harmful content or risky interactions.
  • Track Location Safely: Use GPS features for peace of mind when kids travel alone.
  • Educate, Don’t Just Restrict: Teach kids about online safety, privacy, and why these tools exist.
  • Model Good Behavior: Limit your own screen time and model healthy  habits in regards to the use of technology.

Internet Safety Guidelines for Parents and Children

  • Assess Readiness: Ensure your child is mature enough to responsibly access the internet, including smartphones, gaming consoles (e.g., Xbox), tablets, and e-readers.
  • Parent Education: Learn about device settings and privacy controls on electronic devices and social media platforms.
  • Monitoring Tools: Install software on computers and mobile devices to monitor online activity. Be aware that many kids create multiple accounts (e.g., two Facebook or Kik profiles—one for parents and one for friends).
  • Digital Permanence: Teach children that anything shared online or via phone cannot be fully erased and may remain accessible forever.
  • Set Limits: Establish clear boundaries for internet usage, including time limits and approved platforms.
  • Protect Personal Information: Educate children about the risks of sharing personal details online and model safe online  behavior.
  • Password Safety: Reinforce that passwords should never be shared with friends under any circumstances.
  • Responsible Content Sharing: Teach kids never to take or share nude selfies, and never forward explicit images of others.

How to Talk to Kids

1. Start Early and Normalize the Conversation

    • Choose a calm, private setting where your child feels safe.
    • Frame the discussion as part of overall online safety, not as a punishment.

    • Use age-appropriate language: explain that sextortion means someone tries to use private pictures or information to threaten or control another person.

2. Explain Why It’s Serious

    • Emphasize that predators often pretend to be friends online and then pressure kids for images.
    • Make sure they understand digital permanence: once something is shared online, it cannot be fully erased.
    • Share real-world examples (without fear tactics) to show that this happens to many kids and is never their fault.

3. Teach Prevention Skills

    • Never share explicit images, even with people they trust.
    • Keep personal info private: usernames, school name, location, and passwords should never be shared.
    • Recognize grooming tactics: compliments, gifts, or offers that feel “too good to be true” are red flags.

4. Build Trust and a Safety Plan

    • Tell them: “If anyone ever threatens you or asks for private pictures, come to me immediately. You won’t be in trouble.”
    • Discuss what to do if they feel pressured: block the person, save evidence, and report to a trusted adult.
    • Share resources like CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org) and local law enforcement contacts.

5. Keep the Door Open

    • Make it an ongoing conversation, not a one-time talk.
    • Ask open-ended questions: “What would you do if someone online asked for a picture?”
    • Reinforce that they can always come to you without fear of judgment.

How to Handle Extortion Attempts

Remember: The blackmailer is responsible, not you. Even if you regret a choice you made, their actions are a crime.

Before deciding whether to pay or comply:

  • Seek help first.
  • Paying or cooperating rarely stops the blackmail.

Take these steps:

  1. Report the account using the platform’s safety or abuse feature.
  2. Block the suspect, but do NOT delete your profile or messages. These can help investigators stop the blackmailer.

For information on how to handle specific website extortion attempts please visit the gabbNow What is Sextortion? Everything You Need to Know website.

How to Report Incidents

National Reporting Options

Student Services Training Request Portal (TRP)

TRP Logo and link to form

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Student Services Training Request Portal (TRP) is an online tool for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to request specific Professional Learning (PL) and Technical Assistance (TA) support from the USBE. The information submitted is used to help coordinate PL and TA across the state to ensure that LEA needs are addressed and met in an efficient manner.

Contact Us

Michelle Knight
Prevention Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7962 | Email

Tina Morandy
Support Staff
Phone: (801) 538-7526 | Email

Resources

Cyber Safety

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Stop. Think. Connect. Promotional Materials | Stop. Think. Connect. Securing One Citizen, One Family, One Nation Against Cyber Threats
United States Department of Homeland Security

Advancing Comprehensive School Mental Health Systems: Guidance from the Field
National Center for School Mental Health (NCSMH)

Students and Cyber-Security Research
International Association for Computer Information Systems (IACIS)

Digital Citizenship Curriculum

Digital citizenship curriculum are offered to all schools, free, through the Attorney General’s Office and in partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Utah. You may contact them via email at info@respons-ability.net.

Digital Respons-A-bility
State of Utah Office of the Attorney General

School Resources

The Utah State Legislatures Utah Code Section 53G-9-207: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention requires Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to use the instructional materials approved by the Board to provide child sexual abuse and human trafficking prevention and awareness training and instruction of school personnel and the parents/guardians of elementary school students. Many LEAs have the training available for parents for free.

For more information please visit Prevention’s Child Sexual Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention webpage.

Additional Resources

Discover How Teens Get Trapped (Video)
U.S. Department of Justice 

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network

Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force
Derek Brown, Utah Attorney General

SafeUT App or website to Report a Tip