Online Safety: Best Practices for Program Staff

Dr Willie Williams

FREE & VIRTUAL Health and Safety Training on Wednesday, April 22nd 10am-12pm

As afterschool programs become more internet-based through learning tools, virtual platforms, and technology, this two-hour course is designed to help afterschool staff directly serving youth improve their strategy for online and virtual safety. In programs, there needs to be clear and consistent health and safety procedures surrounding online involvement. Workshop participants will identify organizational spaces’ internet permissions, Wi-Fi access, and content filters. There will be a focus on setting reasonable limits and providing enough supervision during program hours. This training covers best practices for the typical forms of online predatory conduct, inappropriate material, and scams that target youth, as well as how to react when these issues emerge.

Training Objectives:

• Participants will identify core risks related to youth online and virtual engagement in afterschool settings,
• Participants will explain best practices for managing internet access, permissions, and content controls within program spaces, including Wi-Fi access levels, device restrictions, and age-appropriate safeguards
• Participants will establish clear roles and accountability structures for monitoring, maintaining, and overseeing program-owned technology, AI, and digital platforms used by youth and staff.
• Participants will review and refine program-level policies and agreements, including youth and family technology codes of conduct, and consent forms.

Audience: Youth development staff servicing youth, direct program providers, coordinators

Willie Williams, Ph.D 

Willie Williams has over 10 years of experience as a Licensed Teacher and Youth Worker, Educational Advocate, and 17x Published Author. As an educator, Willie obtained a grant which allowed him the opportunity to take 15 teens from the south and west sides of Chicago to the West Wing of the White House to meet President Obama. In 2019, Willie received the Teach2Give Award honoring Chicago’s Most Remarkable Educators. During his time as an educator,  Willie Williams was a Network 9 Social Science Professional Development Presenter, CPS Civics Committee Member, and Teacher Facilitator for CPS. Socially, Willie Williams has lead various community initiatives such as the Black Community Cleanup, Homeless Food Drive Giveaway, and Therapy for Black Women fund. Willie has designed curriculum with Better Arguments (Jeff Bezos Foundation), Stanford University, University of California Riverside.  Willie currently serves as the Rebecca Crown Youth Center Local Advisory Board Chair and Community Service consultant for Chicago Greek Weekend.