Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/80908
Lieutenant June Groehler helped form the Madison Council on Cyber Safety for Children. Detective Lieutenant June Groehler has been with the Madison Police Department nearly 12 years. It seems unfathomable to think that she started at a time when less than one in 30 Americans had access to high-speed Internet. Originally a patrol officer, Groehler developed an interest in cyber crimes af- ter a co-worker expressed concern over his son's online viewing habits. Though Groehler had noticed an increase in tech- nology-related crime at the time, the fellow officer's distress caused her to realize how little others might know about protecting themselves and those they love. Her efforts in answering those questions for her co-worker and others led to the formation of the Madison Area Council on Cyber Safety for Children. This city-com- munity partnership brings together 30 em- ployees of the Madison Police Department, as well as area businesses and nonprofit organizations, with a focus on educating parents and children of the dangers. "We teach kids to look both ways when crossing the street, to put on a bicycle helmet when riding a bike," laments Groehler, "but who is teaching them about Internet safety?" Much of the work for the Council on Cy- ber Safety for Children allows area parents and businesses to know what to look for and where to turn. Groehler's focus covers a broad range of common crimes, such as scams and cyber bullying, but underlying lessons still apply to child exploitation. Overall, the educational messages seem clear: Parents must remain an active part of their children's digital lives. Friend your child on Facebook. Follow them on Twit- ter. Know the screen name they use online. Price even goes so far as to recommend that parents know all the passwords for their children's social media accounts. "I think if you were to ask my daugh- ter, she would say I was extreme," she says with a laugh. "I'm pretty particular about where she goes online. I monitor her." Make no mistake—educating potential "We teach kids to look both ways when crossing the street, to put on a bicycle victims young and old about prevention and awareness isn't the only focus in this field. Not only has the World Wide Web made it easier for predators to prey upon victims, it has made it easier for them to build their own communities. Chat rooms and online helmet when riding a bike, but who is teaching them about Internet safety?" September 2012 bravamagazine.com 61