FBI Schools Bellmore-Merrick Freshmen on Cyber Safety

A special agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s cyber crime division visited the three high schools in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District during three days in February and March to speak with ninth-graders about the dangers of the Internet and how to make positive decisions with technology.

Special Agent Danielle Messineo reminded students that if they are on social networking sites such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, to keep their accounts set to private, only accept requests from people they know and to avoid pictures that might give predators a clue about where they live or what school they attend.

During the portion of the presentation on cyber-bullying, Messineo showed a sobering video recorded by Amanda Todd, a 14-year-old girl who committed suicide days after recording the video, in which she begged for help from anyone who might be watching. The video reminded students to think about the potentially tragic consequences before they engage in ridiculing their peers, especially online.

The presentation also stressed that students should refrain from sending inappropriate photographs and text messages, even to those whom they trust, because of the viral capabilities of modern technology. A clever video showed just how quickly a youngster’s racy photograph sent to her boyfriend could spread throughout the entire school and eventually back to her own family members.

The Internet safety and cyber-bullying assembly was organized by the district’s Community Parent Center.

Submitted by Bellmore-Merrick Schools

More on Patch:

• Cops: Wantagh, Seaford Stores Sold Booze to Teenager
• Police: Pair Sold Heroin, Crack to Undercover Cop in Massapequa
• Nathan’s Aims to Open This Spring in Wantagh
• Seal Spies on Water Rescue Drill in Atlantic Beach
• Police: Masked Man with Knife Holds Up Valley Stream Liquor Store
• Cops: Man Used Stolen Credit Card at Valley Stream Target
• Suffolk Police Officer Shot in Huntington Station, Suspect in Custody
• Cars Slams Into School Bus in North Lindenhurst
• Southampton Town Starts Duck Feeding Program
• History Channel’s ‘American Pickers’ Coming to Riverhead
• Police: Masked Man with Knife Holds Up Valley Stream Liquor Store