CRPD and Kirkwood to team up to offer Internet safety class for parents

CEDAR RAPIDS - In the following weeks, children and teens throughout Cedar Rapids will unwrap new tablets, smartphones, laptops, and other Internet-enabled devices.

While that technology provides a gateway to communication, entertainment, and educational opportunities, it can also make children the targets of online pedophiles. According to police, one in every 10 young people will be approached online by pedophiles and one in 25 children will get an aggressive solicitation.

With that in mind, the Cedar Rapids Police Department is teaming with Kirkwood Community College, US Cellular and Verizon Wireless to offer a 'Kids Safety in a Technological World” class for parents.

'It's great to try to get the bad guys off the street,” said Cedar Rapids Police Officer Joe Schmitz, an investigator on the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. 'It's even better to try to educate people to help them help themselves.”

As a member of the task force, Schmitz is well aware of the potential dangers Internet-enabled devices can pose. He said the task force, which is administered by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, works more than 100 cases each year. The number of calls they get from concerned parents and guardians is even higher.

In addition to online predators, Schmitz said among minors there's also been an increase in sexting - the sending of explicit photos via text message or other app.

'While we can go out and investigate these cases all day ... another thing we try to do is the education arm,” Schmitz said.

Schmitz said children and parents tend to be comfortable with using technology, but they tend to take for granted the dangers those devices can pose and how to best protect children from those dangers. The class will explain those dangers to parents, as well as the apps, software, and websites children are commonly using right now. A presenter from Kirkwood Community College will discuss how to make social media sites and representatives from Verizon and US Cellular will instruct parents on how to make their devices safer for children.

'The one thing we've found is the best prevention is parental involvement,” Schmitz said.

Generally speaking, Schmitz recommends using the device with children, setting up rules, checking out the device from time to time, and developing a rapport with children. He said this rapport is so they understand the parental oversight isn't about a lack of trust in them, but instead about protecting them from potential harm.

The free class will take place Dec. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kirkwood Community College's Linn Hall, Room 1176. Participants are asked to register by contacting the Cedar Rapids Police Department at 319-286-5439.