On Tuesday, Oct. 12, the Miss-Lou Regionalism Education and Workforce Subcommittee sponsored a free symposium called “Internet Safety — Do you know what you need to know.” This symposium was at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center. Approximately 150 parents, educators and citizens from the area attended. Monica Ford from the State of Louisiana Attorney General’s Office kept the undivided attention of the audience for more than an hour and a half.

This symposium turned out to be a must see and a must hear for all adults. Ms. Ford shared statistics and real-life situations that were staggering to those of us who were unaware of what a critical topic the high-tech safety of our children has become. Identity theft, cyberbullying and sexual predators — all are scary components of the World Wide Web.

It is important to remember that the Internet can and must be a valuable resource for all of us. It holds the information that we all need to survive and thrive. However, this symposium reminded us that there can also be a dark side to the use of technology by all ages.

The members of the organizing subcommittee are grateful to so many for their willingness to help make this first symposium such a success. Local media and schools helped get the word out to parents and teachers.

You can be sure that there will be more seminars of this type! The Miss-Lou is our home, and the children of the Miss-Lou are our greatest assets. It is important for all of us to join together in the efforts to support our parents, our educators and our schools.

Thanks again to everyone for caring about our kids.

Ruth Nichols

special assistant to the president, Alcorn; chair, Miss-Lou Regionalism Education and Workforce Subcommittee