The Pennsylvania State Police has rolled out a presentation to educate families about emerging technology, the risks of online gaming, and the critical precautions to take to ensure their children can enjoy the internet safely.
PSP’s comprehensive program, unveiled at the Allegheny County Emergency Services Facility, explored a variety of popular online games and experiences, including the gaming platform Roblox. Participants learned about the potential risks for youth users and the parental controls available to help manage their children’s online activities safely.
“In an age of evolving technology, protecting our youth from online predators must be a top priority,” said Trooper Rocco Gagliardi, Public Information Officer, Troop B. “Our kids should be able to enjoy the fun, educational, and creative opportunities the internet offers. We created this program to do just that by keeping people updated about the latest tactics offenders are using to target innocent children online, while informing them about how to best prevent their loved ones from becoming victims.”
Trooper Gagliardi said additional dates and locations for the public to attend PSP’s free online safety program will be announced soon. In the meantime, schools, churches, and other community groups across the Commonwealth are encouraged to schedule the program by contacting him.
The online safety presentation also included the latest AI tools, detailing how malicious actors exploit people through AI-generated content like deepfake voices and images. Attendees were educated on the warning signs to watch out for and how to teach children to use online technology responsibly.
