SROS
School Resource Officers represent the Henrico County Police Department and will focus on the legal side of Internet safety in the schools. SROs are essential in conveying the dangers and ramifications of unsafe Internet behavior to our students. It is important to stress that negative actions online can have real-world legal consequences, for both victims and aggressors.

Internet safety training has been divided into appropriate portions that are best taught by specific groups of people. SROs will work with the school administration on a plan to reach all children.

The School Resource Officer will play a key role in conveying information regarding:

• cyberbullying
• Internet predation
• legal ramifications of online behavior
• general advice regarding safe models for Internet behavior

Click on the links below to access materials and resources that will support SROs in teaching their portions of the state requirements.
Click here to access SRO web site.

Guidelines and Resources for Internet Safety in the Schools

2. Students need to know that not all Internet information is valid or appropriate.
a. Sexually explicit material or violent images can affect students negatively.
b. Sexual predators will try to convince students to trust them.
c. Internet information may promote negative attitudes, such as hate or intolerance, and dangerous or illegal activities, such as self-injuring behavior, gambling, and illegal drug use.

3. Students should be taught specifically how to maximize the Internet’s potential while protecting themselves from potential abuse.
b. Students need to know what to do and who to ask for help when they encounter a person or site on the Internet that is offensive or threatening to them.
c. Students and adults are required by law to report illegal Internet communications and activities to Internet Service Providers and local law enforcement authorities.

4. Internet messages and the people who send them are not always what or who they seem.
a. People in chat rooms, instant message“buddies,” or those who visit a blog or wiki may not be who they appear to be. Students should learn to recognize when someone is potentially dangerous.
b. Students need to realize when an Internet encounter may be questionable and how to protect themselves when this occurs.
d. Students need to know which information is safe to share with others online, which should never be shared, and why sharing it could put them at risk.
e. Students never should reveal online any information about where they live or attend school.
f. Students need to be aware their electronic messages, even those with known friends, can leave electronic footprints that can be misused by others.

5. Predators and cyberbullies anonymously use the Internet to manipulate students. Students must learn how to avoid dangerous situations and get adult help.
a. Sexual predators deceive students by pretending to be students themselves. They sometimes lure young people into a false sense of security or blind trust and try to alienate them from their families. Students need to learn about these types of psychological ploys and how to get immediate adult help.
b. Bullies use Internet tools, such as instant messaging and the Web, to harass or spread false rumors about students. Students need to know how to seek proper help in these potentially dangerous situations.
c. Students need to know that posting personal information and pictures can allow predators to contact and begin grooming them for illegal meetings and actions. Personal photos can be easily misused or altered when posted on the Internet.

6. Internet activities, such as playing games and downloading music or video files, can be enjoyable. Students need to know which activities are safe and legal.
a. Gaming sites can attract sexual predators and/or cyberbullies.