NATCHEZ — Cathedral Principal Pat Sanguinetti wants his students to know the dangers of the technology they possess.

Sanguinetti met with all sixth-through-12th grade students last year to shed light on the proper ways to use technology such as phones or the Internet, but just a year later, he’s worried the message may not have been enough.

“I have had to deal with some very disheartening situations regarding the inappropriate use of technology,” Sanguinetti said in a press release. “If you read education articles, you will see that I am not alone as an administrator who is facing issues regarding today’s technology.”

The Cathedral Parent Organization spent $4,000 last year to bring in Richard Guerry, an expert in the field of Internet safety, to talk to Cathedral students regarding the dangers of sending inappropriate content by using a phone or the Internet.

Sanguinetti said after leaving the meeting with the students last year, he felt confident. But today, he is seeing first-hand that some students did not take note of the speaker’s warnings.

It’s a national problem, Sanguinetti said.

“He made them remember two words — public and permanent,” Sanguinetti said. “When you hit the send button, there is no going back. They just don’t think anything will happen.”

Sanguinetti said Guerry asked the students if they would want their children or grandchildren to see something that was sent or posted 25 to 50 years ago.

Inappropriate texts or posts on the Internet might prevent a student from gaining admission to college or result to a criminal offense, Sanguinetti said.

Sanguinetti said most parents today think they don’t have the right to invade their children’s privacy, but that has to change.

“Parents should always check behind their children,” Sanguinetti said. “If you’re paying for that phone bill, and you’re paying for the Internet, you have every right to check behind your children.”

Deep down, Sanguinetti said children really desire that attention from their parents.

“They want to see that you care,” Sanguinetti said. “Always tell your children you love them, but do what you have to do to make sure they are not using technology inappropriately.”

Sanguinetti said, most specifically, students and parents must be sure technology doesn’t interfere with a safe learning environment at school.

“The peer pressure is there,” Sanguinetti said. “I’m not accusing a child of anything, but we want to make sure our school is a safe environment.”