The Department of Homeland Security’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)-led Cyber Crime Center (C3) has announced the launch of its Know2Protect (K2P) Back2School sub-campaign. This initiative is specifically designed to prevent online child exploitation and sextortion by equipping children, teens, parents, and caregivers with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves in the digital space.
As students across the country gear up for a new school year, the K2P campaign aims to mitigate the risks of online predators and inappropriate image requests. By providing essential education on safe online practices, the campaign seeks to empower young people to recognize and respond effectively to potential threats.
One innovative aspect of the Back2School sub-campaign is the introduction of a free, safer version of the popular first-day-of-school signs used by parents when sharing their children’s pictures on social media. These signs have been carefully reviewed by HSI subject matter experts to ensure they do not inadvertently reveal sensitive information that could be exploited by predators.
HSI’s initiative underscores the importance of proactive measures in protecting children from online dangers. By providing safer alternatives for sharing back-to-school photos and educating children and teens about online safety, HSI aims to significantly reduce the opportunities for predators to exploit our young people.
The campaign’s goal extends beyond individual families to include educational institutions. HSI encourages every teacher in the United States to visit know2protect.gov and integrate the free resources available into their classrooms. By reaching out through schools and after-school programs, the campaign targets its core audiences—children, teens, parents, and trusted adults—ensuring a widespread dissemination of vital information on online safety.
The Back2School sub-campaign is a critical component of the broader Know2Protect initiative, which is dedicated to educating and empowering the public to prevent and combat online child exploitation and abuse. Through resources, tools, and continuous engagement, K2P aims to create a safer online environment for all.
Get yours today by requesting one via email at [email protected].
For more information on the Back2School sub-campaign and to access the free resources, visit Know2Protect.gov.