The Community Needs This: Urgent Steps Towards Safer Schools, Streets, and Digital Spaces

As children grapple with unseen threats online and within schools, a grassroots movement is emerging to restore their safety. On an impactful Friday afternoon in Menlo Park, local community members, educators, and parents convened for "Securing Our Village," an engaging workshop initiated by Knot Our Kidz, led by educator and children's author Monee’ Brown, MA. Councilmember Cecilia Taylor hosted the sessions, addressing the pressing issue of how digital access via school-issued devices can facilitate exploitation and bullying. “Oakland is at the forefront of sex trafficking,” noted Brown, underscoring the urgency of the situation. With over 20 years as a Deputy Probation Officer, she’s acutely aware of technology’s dual-edged nature. The interactive workshop, in collaboration with several community organizations, aimed to raise awareness and launch the "On Your Campus, In Your Care" campaign. Participants were educated on identifying emotional manipulation and advocating for accountability among schools and tech companies. Ultimately, securing our village relies on proactive, informed communities.