My heart sinks every time I see another “Amber Alert” come across my Facebook page. Another life forever changed. Even if they are returned to the family safely, the trauma of the ordeal will forever alter that child’s life. The safety of our children is a parent’s first concern. But many of us can become lax, thinking, “that only happens in the city” or “not in my neighborhood.” Maybe we just don’t realize the true dangers and predators that are finding ways to our children. This is an issue where “ignorance is not bliss”. We can stick our heads in the sand, but that will not provide the protection that your family needs when they are online.
Pine Brook cares about the children we serve and their families. We have experienced the negative and potentially deadly outcomes of social media gone wrong. We were involved with a family several years ago whose daughter pursued a potentially dangerous relationship online with a young man from another state. The distraught parents came to Pine Brook and our staff to ask for help in finding her daughter who had left the state to pursue this relationship. It ended well, but it was a scary 48 hours. So, don’t think “it can’t happen to my teen.”
Recently our staff has been discussing how we can help our families when their kids are not at Pine Brook. One of these discussions centered on social media and the fact that teens are so tech-savvy and that many of our parents may not know all the hidden dangers of the social media minefield. This prompted us to contact the United States Attorney’s Office to ask if they would come and provide a seminar to our families. As luck would have it they already have an event nearby.
The event is, PROJECT SAFE CHILDHOOD, an educational program provided by several law enforcement agencies to help teach parents how to protect their children on the internet.
We would like to invite Pine Brook parents, guardians, youth leaders and pastors to come out to this local event. It is important that we know and understand the real risks that are out there for our children. The enemy is real. Evil is real, and it preys on our most innocent.
Let’s show the community that the Church cares about these issues. If you are a leader in a local church please pass this event on to your families and encourage them to come!
Pine Brook Camp will be there with our families and church family! PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS EVENT. WE WOULD LOVE A STRONG SHOWING OF AT LEAST 50 PARENTS, YOUTH LEADERS AND PASTORS TO JOIN US!
