At The Children’s Advocacy Center for Rockwall County (CACRC), we are passionate about stopping abuse before it starts. While we lead the critical work of coordinating Rockwall County’s response to child abuse, we are equally dedicated to empowering families with the knowledge needed to prevent it.
Child abuse prevention takes a community effort, and every adult plays a role in building a culture of safety for children. To support this work, we offer free child abuse prevention training and presentations throughout Rockwall County. As a Community Engagement and Training Specialist for the CACRC and a parent myself, I am grateful for the important work we do and the privilege of presenting this information to our community.
We offer safety lessons designed for children and teens, along with more in-depth presentations for parents, educators, caregivers, and anyone with a heart for child safety. We also deliver customized professional training to meet the needs of local schools, childcare centers, youth-serving organizations, and faith-based organizations.
Recently, parents have shown growing interest in how to talk with their children about online safety. With technology rapidly advancing, it’s critical for parents to stay informed about digital risks and how social media, online games, and generative AI can be used to harm and exploit children.
One of the simplest ways to start is by talking regularly with your child(ren) about their digital habits. Discuss how to safely use tools like generative AI and how to protect personal information online. We are Community Education Partners with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and they offer free guides and resources on their website to help families have these conversations. Visit them here: https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz/home
When AI is used in a healthy way, it can offer many benefits and even help families develop smarter technology habits. For example, you can use AI to create a Digital Safety Contract with your child or teen. These written agreements allow you to gather your child’s input while establishing clear expectations around technology use. While templates are available online, AI can also help you customize a contract that reflects your family’s values. Reach out to us for a resource list, including a suggested generative AI prompt to help you get started on making a customized Digital Safety Contract.
Technology works best when adults stay involved. Talk with your kids early about what devices they use, why they use them, and how to think critically about the content they view. If your child comes to you about an inappropriate photo or video, be a trusted adult. Allow them to share what they feel comfortable with, ask questions, and seek help. If needed, you can take action immediately and report the incident to the CyberTipline (https://report.cybertip.org/) and/or your local law enforcement agency.
Our president and CEO, Patricia Mejia, explains, “Ensuring children’s safety—both offline and online—requires education and collaboration. Our community is fortunate to have experienced child abuse prevention professionals leading this work and helping families build safer digital environments.”
Having regular conversations about online safety is essential for raising confident children who make safe choices. As parents, we encourage kids to develop good habits when it comes to food, schoolwork, and friendships; it should be the same with technology.
The CACRC is a nonprofit organization serving children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or witnessed a violent crime. We are dedicated to preventing child abuse through community awareness and education, and we provide a safe, secure, confidential, and child-friendly environment where healing can begin. To support or continue learning more, follow us on social media @RockwallCAC. To receive our online safety resource list or to request training, reach out to us at education@rockwallcac.org.
With technology rapidly advancing, it’s critical for parents to stay informed about digital risks and how social media, online games, and generative AI can be used to harm and exploit children.