Youth, Online Safety, and AI Risks: Best Practices in Prevention and Response AM

Series Overview and Purpose

The Blank Children's STAR Center seeks to improve outcomes for child victims of abuse by providing educational opportunities for members of our professional community at no cost to attendees. The purpose of the Workshop Series is to impact the systemic coordination of services for children and families through increased professional knowledge and skills surrounding developmentally appropriate, child-focused interventions.

Intended Audience

The Workshop Series is intended for professionals involved in the child protection field including: Department of Human Services professionals, law enforcement, attorneys, victim advocates, medical and mental health providers, family service professionals, nurses, school-based professionals, and foster parents.

Morning session 8:30 AM-12:00 PM; Afternoon session 1:00 PM-4:30 PM (repeat of morning)

Session Description: Youth, Online Safety, and AI Risks: Best Practices in Prevention and Response

This training explores how today’s digital environments - from social media to generative AI and social chatbots - shape the well-being, safety, and development of young people. Attendees will gain current insights into the prevalence and emotional impact of online harms, including harassment, deepfakes, and manipulative content, while understanding their links to trauma and mental health challenges. The training provides an extensive focus on prevention and response strategies rooted in empathy, resilience building, and moral development, along with research-informed policy and programmatic suggestions. Participants will leave equipped with evidence-based resources, school- and community-based interventions, and experiential activities to help youth navigate technology safely and thoughtfully while also building a digital culture of responsibility, connection, and care.

Objectives:  

1) Identify the most common online risks affecting youth today, including harassment, deepfakes, manipulation, and exposure to harmful content.

2) Understand the psychological, emotional, and developmental impact of online harms, including their connection to trauma, loneliness, and mental health.

3) Examine the roles of mental health professionals, schools, community organizations, families, and online platforms in preventing and responding to online victimization.

4) Apply practical, evidence-based strategies - including peer-led initiatives, digital literacy education, and climate-building efforts - to foster safer online environments.

5) Recognize the importance of fostering empathy, moral reasoning, and resilience to reduce both victimization and offending among youth.

6) Utilize actionable tools, policies, and activities to teach youth how to critically engage with digital and AI technologies in program settings.

CEUs:

This program is approved for 3.0 treatment-related hours by the Iowa Board for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers.

This program is approved for 3.0 Special Populations CEU hours by the Iowa Board of Certification.

This program is approved for 3.0 hours of group foster parent training by DHHS. 

This program is approved for 3.0 CLE hours by the Iowa Supreme Court Commission.