Online bullying, dangers faced by teens on the internet calls local pastor and others to action
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
In the 21st century life of an American teen, the internet has so many practical applications. It can be the source of news, a place to interact with friends, an avenue for research and a place to keep connected to the world around them. 
Unfortunately, just as the internet superhighway has upscale and wholesome neighborhoods, it also has as a few seamy side streets and avenues as well – with internet predators, online bullying and an assortment of other facets that frighten many parents and those who work with youth.
With 14-year-old twins and two more children who will be teens soon, Pastor Tim Scroggs has become increasingly more aware of and concerned about his children’s use of the internet.
“It’s really been within the last year or so,” he said, that his sensibilities about it have become on heightened alert. “I have teenagers in my own home now and I am now understanding the reality of the trouble they can get into.”
Scroggs, like many parents and youth leaders, have heard the frightening and tragic stories of what happens when things go wrong involving the internet.
“There’s a lot of stuff that concerns me, but I’m most concerned about the online porn,” Scroggs said, adding that he feels it is too easily accessed by young people – often accidentally found online and via e-mail.
“I think a lot of parents don’t want to deal with it,” he said of internet-based concerns. “I think they just hope for the best.”
Scroggs is not content to wait and hope his children don’t encounter problems online and with the support of his congregation at Eagle Quest Church and others in the community, they’re planning a workshop for parents regarding various online threats.
The Get Connected Internet Safety Seminar is planned for April 12 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Eagle Quest Church, 1120 North State Road 109.
Speakers for the event include Whitley County Sheriff Mark Hodges, Pat Mossburg of the Whitley County Salvation Army, Eric Kelly a national director of Youth for Christ and Steve Beck of BE Computer in Columbia City.
Topics of seminar will include cyber bullying, internet predators, social networking and security software.
Prior to implementing a plan to teach parents how to become active partners in their children’s use of the internet, Scroggs said he knew of similar programs that are more youth-directed.
“I haven’t seen anything geared toward parents and giving them training,” he said.
Scroggs had been talking about the issue with his congregation for several months when they collectively decided it was time to do something constructive about the issues. “We decided to go for it and made some calls.”
Almost immediately, the pieces fell into place – with Hodges, Beck, Kelly and Mossburg agreeing to lend their support, experience and knowledge to the workshop.
Within the past week, Scroggs and others have been active in getting fliers up around the community and handing out brochures about the workshop. They’ve also been working with nearly a dozen local churches to spread the word about the workshop among their congregations.
“We want to give parents, youth leaders and really anybody concerned with kids the information they need to keep kids safe,” Scroggs said. “We want to give them some strategies, some tools. They need to have an awareness of the danger.”
The cost to attend the seminar is $5 if registered before April 7 or $7 if registered after that day up to the day of the event.
For more information on the seminar or to register, contact Eagle Quest Church at 244-6680 or e-mail Tim Scroggs at ctscroggs@msn.com