February 12, 2026 – Westfield, Massachusetts – St. Mary’s Elementary School in Westfield had a busy morning on Jan. 30 as students in grades 1-8 sat in on various presentations provided by the Hampden District Attorney’s Office.

Kicking it off, Community Safety & Outreach Director Tony Simmons shared the office’s “Internet Safety” presentation to grades 7 and 8, which includes a discussion regarding the permanence of online actions – what you post, message, or even delete; the serious – and often legal consequences of inappropriate photo exchanges, online threats, and harassment, to include bullying; and the knowledge to navigate an online presence responsibly, highlighting how actions can affect future opportunities.

Simmons played videos of threats made at nearby schools – such as bomb threats – and explained the severity of these threats, even if they are a hoax.

He also talked about artificial intelligence, better known as AI, and how it is being used today to hurt or embarrass people, which is considered bullying.

A message Simmons repeated throughout was “if something makes you feel sad, scared or confused, tell a trusted adult.”

The next presentation, “Social Media & Gaming Safety” for grades 4-6, was led by two members of the Hampden District Attorney’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB): Rachel Roblinski, a senior at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School; and Marina Hall, a sophomore at Wilbraham Monson Academy and former St. Mary’s student.

The “Social Media & Gaming Safety” presentation highlights the important safety rules when connecting on social media and playing games online. Roblinski and Hall took turns sharing information and videos ranging from password safety to cyberbullying. Then, they provided different scenarios for students and encouraged participation through helpful hints and discussion questions.

Lastly, the two YAB members facilitated the “NetSmartz” presentation – an interactive presentation for grades 1- 3 – consisting of internet and real-world safety concepts.

“When we talk to students about social media, gaming, and internet safety, it’s really about helping them understand that what happens online is real and lasting. A post, a message, or a photo shared in the moment can have serious consequences – including legal ones – especially when it comes to bullying, threats, or inappropriate images,” said District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. “Our goal is to give young people the knowledge to protect themselves, make smart choices online, and understand that their digital actions today can impact their opportunities tomorrow.”