November 3, 2025 – Longmeadow, Massachusetts – Staff from Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni’s Community Safety & Outreach (CSO) Unit visited Longmeadow’s Glenbrook Middle School and Williams Middle School over the course of two days, Oct. 20 and 21, to deliver the office’s internet safety presentation, emphasizing the permanence of online activity and practical steps for safer digital use.

The CSO led engaging, age-appropriate discussions with students, focusing on cyberbullying, social media use, online predators, digital privacy, and the lasting impact of online behavior. A core message underscored that what we do on our phones is permanent. Once a photo is sent, it can spread like wildfire, and there is no way to truly get it back. 

Presenters, Director of Community Safety and Outreach Tony Simmons and Deputy Director Gina Anselmo, shared app-specific tips, including guidance for Snapchat, such as disabling location services, limiting who can view stories, and understanding how screenshots and screen recordings can defeat “disappearing” content. The unit also cautioned that popular online games, including Roblox, are frequently used by strangers to initiate contact with young people and reminded students never to respond to messages from unknown users.

“It can start with something simple,” said Anselmo. “A stranger might say, ‘I’m 13, how old are you?’ That friendly-sounding opener is often the first step in building false trust.”

When more than half the room of middle schoolers raised their hands to say they use the app Snapchat — and then gasped to learn that even local second graders have reported access to the app — the message was clear: early, honest conversations about online safety matter.

Gulluni said, “Our goal is to give students the information they need to make smart, safe decisions online. The internet is a powerful tool, but it also comes with risks, especially for young people. By talking honestly and directly with students, we hope to prevent harm before it happens.”

The internet 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 internet 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.