Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Centers will present a free 1-hour educational workshop called “Online Predators: What Parents Need to Know,” on March 31 at the Shelbyville Middle School.
The event, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., is hosted in partnership with Crane Credit Union and is designed to help parents and caregivers better understand and respond to online threats facing children today.
The presentation is led by John Graham, Education and Outreach Program Manager for Susie’s Place. It will cover several current online threats, including commodified interactions targeting minors, AI deepfake and image manipulation abuse, sextortion and financial exploitation, online sadistic exploitation networks, and safety concerns within apps and gaming platforms.
Drawing from data provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and other national partners, the workshop explains how these threats operate, what warning signs families should watch for, and what proactive steps parents can take for their families.
“This isn’t about fear. It’s about equipping parents with knowledge, practical tools, conversation strategies, and a clear plan,” said Graham.
The free 1-hour session includes guidance on online threats, creating family technology agreements, conducting app safety checks, and implementing the Upstander approach, a strategy that encourages open conversations instead of confrontation. Participants are also provided with a multi-page resource packet filled with information and links so they can research further at home.
Susie’s Place Child Advocacy Center is a 501 (c)(3) organization founded in 2009 with locations in Avon, Bloomington, and Terre Haute, Indiana. Susie’s Place promotes the prevention, justice, and healing of child victims of abuse and violence while maintaining the comfort and safety of the child as the first priority.
The Shelby County Post is a digital newspaper producing news, sports, obituaries and more without a pay wall or subscription needed.
Fritchton Agronomy Center among investments for Keystone Cooperative
Crawford and Richland Counties receive state economic funding
New potential buyer for Champion Laboratories named
VU announces transition for WVUT-TV
Millions in funding for industrial parks in Robinson, Olney
Unit #20 Board to hold special session
ISP conduct alcohol enforcement action in Wabash County
Sumner street project to begin soon
Local couple arrested by Lawrenceville Police
Flags ordered to half-staff for Captain Seth Koval
Illinois DMV text scams continue in Lawrence and surrounding counties
Enhanced fire risk warning for southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana
Indiana launches enforcement campaign to target distracted driving and speeding
New Second Circuit Judge named in Richland County
Lawrenceville arrests
New Space Force license plate design
Gun control bills stall in Illinois House
