NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Police Officers David Lemieux and Kyle Cahoon gave Brayton Elementary sixth- and seventh-graders a crash course in cyber safety and bullying.

 

Lemieux and Cahoon addressed a cafeteria full of students Friday on the responsibly that comes along with using a phone or computer and what the consequences are for misuse are.

 

Among tips for internet safety and mindfulness, Lemieux told the students they need to be aware of every message and photo they send. 

 

"Everyone likes to text and what not but it's electronic and it goes everywhere," he said. "Once you hit that send button it's gone and you don't have control over it anymore." 

 

Cahoon also told the children if they choose to send explicit photos of themselves or "sext" theoretically anyone could see the photo. 

 

"Don't do it. You may think you are sending a photo to just one person but realistically everyone in this room could see it," Cahoon said.

 

He added that they could be charged for being in possession of child pornography or distributing it. He said if the phone is in their parents' names they could get in trouble.

 

Cahoon told the students that in addition to verbal and physical bullying, they can also get in trouble for cyber bullying 

 

"You might think it's funny to make fun of someone's haircut or something but little things like that can hurt someone," he said. "If someone is getting bullied everyday nonstop, even on the internet, they are going to fight flight or flee."

 

Lemieux told the students if they are being bullied they should talk to a teacher and if it continues to be a problem the police can get involved.

 

He said those who bully can permanently be effected by a charge.

 

"Once you have that on your record it isn't going anywhere, and that will affect you guys in college and getting jobs so don't do it," he said.  

 

Lemieux said he hopes the presentation prevents bullying and lets students know they can always contact a police officer if they are in trouble.

 

"I think it is important that they know that we can help them, even with the cybercrime stuff," he said. "We can pretty much track the issue and use evidence to set things straight ... also its good for them to see us in the school so they feel more comfortable talking to us."  

 

Cahoon said he liked the many questions the children asked and hopefeel comfortable asking an officer for help.

 

"I want them to pick up that they can come to us and they don't have to be afraid to ask us something is," he said. "It just makes them aware that they have resources here that can take care of bullying before it becomes a bigger issue."