HOUSTON – March 9, 2018 – In partnership with community leaders and cybercrime professionals, Spring ISD hosted an informational seminar on Wednesday at Claughton Middle School to help raise awareness among young female students about how to protect themselves from online predators. 

The seminar – Girls Be Wise: Cyber Safety and Human Trafficking Awareness – was sponsored by Women of AT&T and featured strategies on how students can protect themselves online, including a review of privacy settings and limiting details on location sharing. Before the seminar, the school held a special appreciation luncheon for the event speakers and volunteers.

“We believe that it is imperative that we help our students understand the risks and know what to do if they are ever approached,” said Tera George, a seventh-grade counselor at Claughton. “Our goal is to avoid any of our students falling prey to such imminent dangers.”

 In a presentation that left plenty of time for questions, Claughton students had the opportunity to learn the appropriate steps when receiving inappropriate communications online or if a stranger asks to meet them offline.

 “At a national level, Women of AT&T recognizes the threat that human trafficking has become for our young women,” said Lollie Ramirez-Bennett, CEO and president of Women of AT&T and also associate director at AT&T Finance. “We believe it is important to speak from our experience about the reality and make you are aware, so that you can hopefully avoid such risks.”

 Students were encouraged to report any inappropriate online activities or potential human trafficking by calling 1-800-THE-LOST, or by visiting CyberTipline.com.