Protecting Our Community Online: New Online Safety Resources Available

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office is proud to share two new resources, along with additional trusted websites, to help families navigate today’s digital world safely.

• Our Social Media Awareness Guide provides parents and guardians with clear, practical information about popular apps, potential online risks, age recommendations, and step-by-step instructions for using parental controls and privacy settings across major platforms. (attachment below)

• Our Sextortion Awareness Guide explains what sextortion is, how offenders manipulate and coerce victims, the warning signs families should watch for, and what to do if someone becomes a victim — including critical reporting resources and support options. (attachment below)

Additional Online Safety Resources:

• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
  https://www.missingkids.org
  Reporting, image removal assistance, and exploitation support
• FBI — Online Safety & Sextortion Awareness
  https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources
  Law-enforcement guidance on online threats and reporting
• Thorn: Safety Tools for Families
  https://parents.thorn.org
  Conversation guides, warning signs, and prevention tools
• NetSmartz (NCMEC Education Program)
  https://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz
  Age-appropriate online safety lessons for kids & teens
• Stop It Now! — Preventing Online Exploitation
  https://www.stopitnow.org
  Practical prevention strategies for parents and caregivers

Last Updated 1/15/2026