Distance and Continuing Education to offer two seminars

NDSU Distance and Continuing Education and IdeaOne Telecom will offer a “Technology Safety for Families” seminar on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the NDSU Festival Concert Hall. The seminar is free and open to the public, but registration is required due to limited seating.

There are an estimated 15 million Internet users under the age of 18, which makes it impossible to deny that the Internet has changed the social lives of children and families. Rick Anderson, featured speaker, will explore and demonstrate different technologies available to families today. With these new technologies come disturbing trends among teens known as cyberbullying and sexting. Anderson will provide insight into what these trends are and how they are harmful. This seminar will offer tips for safety in technology as well as information on filtering, blocking and monitoring software that can help keep your kids safe.

Anderson is a founding partner of Internet Safety Consulting LLC and serves as Training Coordinator of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force - Undercover Investigations Course. The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is part of a national program funded by the Department of Justice that investigates crimes against children. Anderson was previously the Commander of the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

In conjunction with this event, NDSU Distance and Continuing Education will offer a professional training day titled “Internet Safety in Schools: How Technology is Changing Our Schools and Students” on Thursday, Aug. 13, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn.

Featured professional day speakers include Anderson, Jennifer Garaas and Andrew Mara. Presentations include “Internet Safety for Schools;” “Cyber Violations: Psychological and Legal Consequences and Prevention;” and “Text, Texting and Academic Success.” Graduate professional development credit (pending) and continuing education units (CEUs) will be made available.

For more information or to register for either event, contact Lisa McNamara at 231-7015 or lisa.mcnamara@ndsu.edu.