January 16, 2026 – Chicopee, Massachusetts – Staff from Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Community Safety & Outreach (CSO) Unit visited Chicopee’s Litwin Elementary School on Monday, Jan. 12, to deliver the office’s NetSmartz and Social Media & Gaming Safety presentations, emphasizing the importance of safe online use.

CSO was joined by four members of the Hampden District Attorney’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB) – high school students from across Hampden County dedicated to leadership and community engagement – to lead the presentations, while engaging and encouraging students to participate through helpful hints and discussion questions.

The YAB members included Cadence Lukasik, a Chicopee High School senior and former Litwin Elementary School student; Cecilia Torres, Chicopee High School senior; Maliha Awan, East Longmeadow High School senior; and Samia Awan, East Longmeadow High School senior.

The first presentation of the day, NetSmartz, was as an interactive presentation targeted for grades 2 and 3, consisting of internet and real-world safety concepts.

The second presentation, Social Media & Gaming Safety, was targeted toward grades 4 and 5.

During the Social Media & Gaming Safety presentation, the YAB members took turns sharing information and videos ranging from password safety to cyberbullying. Then, they provided different scenarios for students, asking questions such as what to do if a person on the videogame Fortnite, for instance, asks what grade or school the student goes to. The answer repeated throughout was to tell a trusted adult, and do not give out any personal information to someone you meet online.

At the end of the presentation, the YAB members left the group of more than 150 students with some advice on playing sports in middle and high school, making new friends, and leading with kindness.

“Be kind to everyone,” Lukasik shared.

Deputy Director of Community Safety & Outreach Gina Anselmo echoed this point, noting that kindness is one of – if not the most important – rule of social media use.

The NetSmartz and Social Media & Gaming 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 NetSmartz or the Social Media & Gaming 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.