Meta has announced a collaboration with Childhelp to launch an educational curriculum aimed at preventing online exploitation among middle school students. This initiative is designed to educate young people on recognizing and responding to grooming, sextortion scams, and other forms of online exploitation.
The curriculum was developed with contributions from child safety experts, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Thorn, the Department of Homeland Security, Purdue University, and the Crimes against Children Research Center. It provides comprehensive resources for parents and educators, featuring detailed guides, scripted lesson plans, interactive activities, and engaging videos.
The lessons emphasize skills needed for safe navigation of both online and offline environments. They cover topics such as understanding safe relationships, personal boundaries, and seeking help when necessary.
Fully funded by Meta, this curriculum is free for schools, parents, community organizations, faith-based groups, and after-school programs. It is integrated into Childhelp's 'Speak Up Be Safe' program that addresses various safety issues like physical abuse or neglect.
To expand its reach further, Meta is partnering with LifeSmarts to adapt the curriculum so high school students can teach it to middle schoolers nationwide. This approach aims to provide high schoolers with leadership experience while allowing younger students to learn from older peers.
Antigone Davis, Meta’s Global Head of Safety stated: “For the first time, educators around the country will have a detailed expert-backed curriculum – for free – to help students feel equipped to avoid sextortion and other forms of online exploitation.” She emphasized Meta's commitment to protecting young people on their platforms by equipping them with knowledge about potential harms.
Michael Medoro from Childhelp expressed gratitude towards Meta's support: “With the increase in online dangers this partnership will allow facilitators of the lessons to empower millions of young people.”
Adele Taylor from Thorn highlighted the importance of involving youth in shaping solutions: “By involving NoFiltr Youth Innovation Council we’re making sure that content resonates empowers students.”
This initiative builds upon Meta's recent anti-sextortion PSA campaign conducted alongside NCMEC and Thorn. The campaign featured an educational video shown directly in Instagram feeds across several countries including US Canada Australia UK helping teens recognize signs associated with sextortion scammers.
Meta continues efforts combating sextortion through various safety features implemented across its platforms ensuring user protection against potential threats such as nudity protection feature blurring nude images shared via DMs notifying users interacting accounts removed due suspicious activity among others measures taken proactively safeguard teen users globally.
