Episode 5: Cyber Safety and Digital Footprints
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What does cyber safety really mean for students today?
In Episode 5 of Navigating the Digital Playground, we focus on cyber safety and digital footprints, exploring how students navigate privacy, social media, and online decision-making and how families and schools can support them along the way.
Sarah O’Donnell is joined by Officer Kris Marchel, School Resource Officer at Ben Franklin Junior High, and Liz Peterson, Library Media Specialist at SPASH. Together, they discuss why nothing online ever truly disappears, how screenshots and servers impact digital footprints, and why curiosity and guidance matter more than punishment when things go wrong.
This episode also shares practical advice for families, including how to talk with kids about online choices, what to do if something concerning happens, and where to turn for help. Throughout the conversation, guests emphasize building trust early, keeping conversations non-judgmental, and remembering that behind every screen is a real person.
🎧 Listen Now
🎥 YouTube: https://youtu.be/GzlpWA4LKHc
📻 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5lOaAWFkvEtXaB4amQImSm?si=nmXboVZ1RYaI_qEh5S97SA
📃 Transcript
Resources
Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC)
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Local Task Force Contacts:
https://icactaskforce.org/TaskForceContacts
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
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Take It Down Tool: https://takeitdown.ncmec.org
Helps remove or stop the sharing of explicit images online. -
Sextortion Information: https://missingkids.org/theissues/sextortion
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Victim & Family Support: gethelp@ncmec.org
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Report to the CyberTipline: https://cybertipline.org
Reports are reviewed and families may be contacted with additional support.
- Common Sense Media: Reviews, parent guides, and conversation starters about apps, games, and screen time
- American Academy of Pediatrics - Family Media Plan: Practical guidance for creating balanced media habits by age.
- CDC - Youth Mental Health Resources: High-level, research-based context around wellbeing and screen use
- HealthyChildren.org: Clear, parent-friendly articles on technology, sleep, and development.
Families with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to their school or the district for support.