December 9, 2025 – Springfield, Massachusetts – Staff from Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Community Safety & Outreach (CSO) Unit visited Springfield’s German Gerena Community School on Dec. 3 to deliver the office’s Social Media & Gaming Safety presentation, underscoring the importance of safe and responsible online use for students. 

Deputy Director of Community Safety & Outreach Gina Anselmo was joined by Liam Maher, a junior at Minnechaug Regional High School, and Kahleb Cruz, a junior at Springfield International Charter School, to present to the fifth-grade class.

Maher and Cruz are both members of the Hampden District Attorney’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB), which consists of high school students from across Hampden County, dedicated to leadership and community engagement.

Social Media & Gaming Safety is an interactive presentation that highlights important safety rules when connecting on social media and playing games online.

Maher and Cruz took turns sharing slides about password safety and only sharing your information with a trusted adult – among other topics – while encouraging students to participate through helpful hints and discussion questions.

Following the presentation, Gerena students had the opportunity to ask questions to the YAB members. The questions ranged from middle school classes to after-school sports.

Cruz emphasized the importance in hanging around the right group of people because “you want to be remembered as a kind person.”

Maher agreed, adding, “You are who you hang around with.”

As the grade 5 students will be heading to middle school next year, Maher noted that middle school builds fundamental skills that will prepare them for high school and beyond.

The Social Media & Gaming Safety presentation is one 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 presentation, 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.