Important Family Safety Information: Online Risks Facing Youth

Tiger Families:

At Ephrata Schools, the safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority. Following our recent Preventing Youth Violence Town Hall Meeting, we want to share additional information we believe is important for all families to review and discuss together.

The information below was released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and highlights a growing and deeply concerning trend involving the online exploitation and manipulation of children and vulnerable youth through violent online networks. This is not a distant issue - it is a threat that is actively impacting communities across the country, including Ephrata. 

While this information is difficult to read, awareness and early intervention are critical tools in protecting children. 

We encourage parents, guardians and caregivers to take time to review the warning signs, safety recommendations and available resources included in this alert. Open conversations, active monitoring and strong family support can make a meaningful difference in keeping children safe online.

As always, we are here to support you. Please reach out to your school directly if you have questions or concerns. If you see something, we encourage you to say something. You can also report concerns directly though our online portal: https://www.ephrataschools.org/district/state-federal-safeguards/see-something-say-something

Source Below: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), “Open Letter to Parents, Guardians and Caregivers,” FBI Boston Field Office: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston/news/open-letter-to-parents-guardians-and-caregivers 

Read An Open Letter to Parents, Guardians and Caregivers from the FBI