March 20, 2026 – Holyoke, Massachusetts – Roughly 50 students at Mater Dolorosa Catholic School in Holyoke received an important lesson in online safety on Thursday, March 5.

Staff from Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Community Safety & Outreach (CSO) Unit delivered two presentations – Social Media & Gaming Safety for grades 4 and 5, and Internet Safety for grades 6-8.

The Social Media & Gaming Safety presentation highlights the important safety rules when connecting on social media and playing games online.

Community Safety & Outreach Director Tony Simmons and Deputy Director Gina Anselmo talked with the students about password safety, cyberbullying, and more.

Anselmo shared the five rules of Social Media & Gaming Safety:

1. Only connect with people online that you know and trust in real life.
2. Never meet anyone from the internet in real life.
3. Tell a trusted adult if something online makes you feel uncomfortable, sad, scared, or confused.
4. Never share private information online.
5. Always be nice to others online and in person.

Then, Simmons put their knowledge to the test by providing different scenarios and asking students how they would respond.

One student shared that on the videogame Fortnite, someone was making fun of him, so he reported it.

Another student went off that point, sharing that they too had been bullied on Fortnite and blocked that person.

Some students even shared stories of real-life safety situations they have experienced and how they responded to them.

The next presentation, Internet Safety, included a discussion regarding the permanence of online actions, and the knowledge to navigate an online presence responsibly, highlighting how actions can affect future opportunities.

“Today’s students are growing up in a world where social media, gaming, and online communication are part of their everyday lives. It’s critical that we teach them how to navigate those spaces safely and responsibly,” said District Attorney Gulluni. “The choices made online can have real-world consequences, and by giving young people the tools to recognize risks and make smart decisions, we’re helping them protect themselves both on the internet and in their daily lives.”

The Social Media & Gaming Safety and Internet Safety presentations are two of many free programs the Hampden District Attorney’s Office offers to promote education, prevention, and youth empowerment across the county. The office regularly collaborates with schools and community partners to support the health and safety of young people.

For more information about the Social Media & Gaming Safety and Internet Safety presentations, or to request a presentation at your school, contact Hampden District Attorney’s Office Deputy Director of Community Safety & Outreach Gina Anselmo at gina.anselmo@mass.gov.