CASEYVILLE, Ill. – With children spending more time online and new apps and social media trends constantly emerging, State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is bringing together law enforcement and online safety experts to help parents better understand the risks their children may be facing.
“Kids are growing up online and in a digital world that looks very different from the one many of us grew up in,” said Senator Harriss. “As a parent, I know how difficult it can be to keep up with new apps, social media and the risks that come with them. This event is about giving parents practical information, helping them recognize warning signs and making sure they know what they can do to help keep their kids safe online.”
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Senator Harriss will host “Protecting Kids in a Digital World” on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Caseyville Village Hall, 909 S. Main Street. The free educational event will feature experts from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office, the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Illinois State Police.
Experts will discuss child exploitation tactics, cyberbullying and warning signs, privacy settings and parental controls, digital footprints, social media trends and emerging online risks. The discussion will also include information about local cases and real-world threats affecting communities in the area.
“Parents shouldn’t have to navigate these issues alone,” said Senator Harriss. “The more we know about what our kids are seeing and experiencing online, the better prepared we are to have those conversations and protect them.”
Senator Harriss has also made protecting children online a legislative priority, sponsoring and supporting measures to strengthen age verification requirements, address emerging risks from artificial intelligence, and crack down on online exploitation. She said she will continue working in Springfield to strengthen protections for children as technology and online threats continue to evolve.
