As a mother and as your State Senator, I know one of the biggest challenges parents face today is trying to keep up with the digital world our children are growing up in.
Our kids are navigating social media, messaging apps, online gaming, and AI technology at an age when they may not always recognize the risks. As parents and caregivers, we want to protect them, but it can be difficult to know what to look for, what questions to ask and where to turn for help.
That is why I am personally inviting you to join me for “Kids in a Digital World” on Wednesday, August 26, from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at the Barrington Park District, 235 Lions Drive in Barrington.
This is not a conversation about telling our kids to simply put their phones away. It is about giving parents the knowledge and tools to help their children navigate the online world safely.
We will be joined by experts from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, and Illinois State Police. They will discuss the warning signs every parent should know, including:
- How children can be targeted and exploited online
- Warning signs of cyberbullying and what parents can do
- Privacy settings and parental controls that can help
- What your child’s digital footprint can reveal
- Social media trends, apps, and emerging risks
- Real-world threats and cases happening in communities like ours
I believe every parent and caregiver deserves to have this information. The online world changes quickly, and our children deserve adults who are prepared to keep up with it.
I hope you will join me for this important and practical conversation. No registration is required, so please feel free to bring a spouse, family member, friend or another caregiver.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Sincerely,
Darby Hills
