As technology continues to play a larger role in our daily lives, students are spending more time online, whether for learning, connecting with friends, or entertainment. With this increased use, now is a great time for families to pause and check in with their child about their online activity.
The internet offers incredible opportunities, but it also comes with risks. National agencies, including the FBI Chicago Field Office (and FBI alert in March 2025), have recently shared concerns about individuals and groups who target youth online by pretending to be peers, building trust, and then attempting to exploit or manipulate them. While these situations are not common, MPUSD has received a small number of reports of concerning online interactions (for example Discord, Roblox, etc.), reinforcing the importance of staying aware and connected.
These interactions can happen on platforms many students use every day, including social media, gaming systems, and messaging apps.
What Families Should Know
Some individuals may:
- Pretend to be a teenager or peer
- Build relationships through games or social media
- Encourage sharing of personal information or photos
- Use pressure, threats, or manipulation
Signs to Watch For
Families may notice:
- Increased secrecy around devices
- Changes in mood or behavior
- Anxiety, withdrawal, or distress
- Requests for money, gift cards, or unusual concerns about privacy
What You Can Do
A simple conversation can make a big difference.
We encourage families to:
- Start the conversation: Ask your child about the apps they use and who they interact with online.
- Set expectations: Talk about what is safe and appropriate to share online
- Stay engaged: Know your child’s online spaces and monitor activity when appropriate
- Use the “STOP, BLOCK, REPORT” approach
- STOP engaging
- BLOCK the individual
- REPORT to a trusted adult
Remind your child that they can always come to you or another trusted adult if something doesn’t feel right. No situation is too small to talk about.
MPUSD Commitment
At MPUSD, we are committed to the safety and well-being of every student. We value our partnership with families in helping students navigate both the opportunities and challenges of today’s digital world. We will continue to work on efforts to incorporate information and sessions for families on technology safety as part of our ongoing events and activities.
Together, we can ensure our students stay safe, supported, and empowered, both online and offline.