- Officials from the Department of Homeland Security gave a presentation on internet safety to students in the Freer Independent School District on Friday, Aug. 16.
- School officials said they want to remind students of the importance of internet safety.
- The presentation was aimed at students and the local community.
Agents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security met with Freer Independent School District students and neighbors on Friday, Aug. 16. District officials kicked off the new school year with a refresher on a very important topic: internet safety.
Freer ISD students gathered in the high school auditorium to discuss a variety of topics, including posting personal information on social media, cyberbullying, sexting and soliciting minors.
“I learned a lot today about how important cybersecurity is,” said Keon Torres, 16. “You definitely have to be cautious when you’re on the internet.”
Torres said as a teenager who is constantly on social media, he understood the importance of the message.
According to the Department of Justice, one in five children receives unwanted sexual solicitation online each year, which is why the Department of Homeland Security is partnering with schools like Freer to educate students and adults about online dangers.
Brody Ramirez, 16, offered advice to people especially younger than him: “Stay off the Internet. Don’t talk to people you don’t know. There are bad people out there.”
Other safety tips from Homeland Security officials include reporting suspicious activity, never deleting messages from recruiters and never meeting up with people you meet online.
Now everyone can socialize with people outside their neighborhood.
“I think it’s important for teenagers to take a moment to be cautious because you never know who you’re talking to on the other end of the phone,” Torres said.
Teens at Freer High School agreed it’s important to be careful online and said they look for warning signs.
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