NOSD to host national cyber safety expert

The dangers and repercussions of students’ interactions with the online world got a couple of leaders in the Northern Ozaukee School District thinking.

“You read so much in the news and all over the country about things going on on social media or some of the challenging things that students are facing,” Supt. Dave Karrels said.

He wanted to do something about it, and began researching experts who could provide advice.

“How do you find someone who could really make an impact and address something that is an issue everywhere?” Karrels asked.

The district found renowned speaker Katie Greer, the former director of internet safety with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, where she helped develop one of the first internet safety programs in the country.

She went on to work as an intelligence analyst for the Massachusetts State Police.

“The internet was a mysterious, gargantuan force that made people nervous so I developed an educational program that helped to put people at ease while keeping communities safe,” Greer says on her website.

Greer will be spending the day in Fredonia on Wednesday, March 4, first making one-hour presentations to district students. One will be for third through fifth-graders, another to middle-schoolers, then to high-schoolers.

At 6 p.m., Greer will speak at the district’s Fine Arts Center to an adult audience.

“That’s really geared toward getting into those safeguard pieces and ways to protect our young people,” Karrels said.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration isn’t necessary.

“Thankfully, we have people who stepped up to sponsor without wanting any accolades for it,” Karrels said.

People are asked to use the school entrance near the flagpoles. The Fine Arts Center is on the right after walking in.

Greer’s website outlines what she covers in each presentation.

For her youngest audience, Greer tries to teach children how to have a healthy relationship with technology through an interactive, entertaining and humorous presentation. Among the topics are how to use artificial intelligence, cyberbullying, keeping personal information private and social media rules and settings.

For tweens and teens, Greer goes over social networking, sexting, posting on social media and employment and college admissions risks and opportunities.

For adults, Greer addresses technology trends, privacy settings, talking to children about online rules and smartphones.

“We really looked at it as a proactive opportunity to address cyber safety and internet safety and things that are happening all the time,” Karrels said.

“It’s a resource for all. Learn from it and apply it.”

For more information, visit www.klgreer.com.