![\"Internet](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/timesofsandiego.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Helix-cyber-safety-LMC.png?ssl=1\")
<\/a>Helix Charter High School will host an internet safety presentation this Thursday evening at the school in La Mesa. (Image\u00a0credit: Smartcyberchoices.org)<\/p>\nHow much time does your child typically spend online in a given day? <\/p>\n
More importantly, do you know everything they are looking at when they get on a laptop, tablet, phone or other device?<\/p>\n
Helix Charter High School<\/a> will host an internet safety presentation for parents and caregivers Thursday. The event runs from 6 to 7 p.m. at the school\u2019s ExL Building (1600). Both parents and students are welcome to attend.<\/p>\n This event is presented by the San Diego Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force<\/a> and the San Diego Police Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Helix Director of Educational Services Elena Smith, who graduated from the school, said there have been more concerns for students who use their personal devices online<\/p>\n \u201cStudents were not aware how what they posted and what they shared was publicly accessible to all \u2013 not just their friends,\u201d Smith stated. \u201cI think hearing the reality of data access is a powerful experience for students to at least think about their actions online.\u201d<\/p>\n Getting parents and caregivers involved in the discussion is something Smith sees as quite important.<\/p>\n \u201cTalk about it, spend time discussing the aspects of cyber safety and be honest in that conversation,\u201d Smith said. \u201cParents\/caregivers are the owners of this tool and they have the right to control how students utilize it and set parameters for continued use.\u201d <\/p>\n She added that as long as the need is there, this type of event will continue to be supported for student and family awareness.<\/p>\n Helix Grade Level Principal Arica Villegas noted that the school has hosted presentations on the topic of online safety for around a decade now.<\/p>\n \u201cAt that time Helix acknowledged that online gaming and social media were increasing with our students and that we needed to ensure our community was not only receiving information on how to be safe online, but also provided a space to ask questions,\u201d\u00a0Villegas said. <\/p>\n \u201cNavigating the digital world can be challenging as adults,\u201d\u00a0she continued. \u201cWe want to make sure that our students and families are equipped with the knowledge, tools and resources to stay safe today and in the future as the digital landscape continues to evolve. Regular education is a crucial piece for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n