Recent LZHS Communications Detail

Dear LZHS Parents/Guardians and Students,

Student safety and well-being is of utmost importance in District 95. As we strive to develop learners who exhibit district values of respect and integrity, as well as learners who demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate characteristics, we are sending a community-wide message regarding the importance of teaching and reinforcing safe online behaviors to students of all ages. Please read on for important information, upcoming school-based teaching, and resources for families.

Key Information for Families (NOTE: Families can access the video version of this material HERE)

Student Online Access Has Changed

• Kids today have regular access to cameras, social media, and other tools that can create or alter images instantly
• What might feel like a joke, curiosity, or peer pressure moment can quickly turn into a serious legal and emotional issue
• Many students do not realize the consequences of possessing, creating, or sharing explicit images of minors
• Students are potentially being exposed to a wider range of sexually explicit content with expanded online access

Possessing Images Can Have Serious Consequences

• Any explicit image of a minor (e.g., a nude image of a child, a picture of a child’s private parts/genitalia) is legally considered child sexual abuse material, even if:
  • The minor took the photo themselves
  • The image was sent voluntarily between children or teens
• Simply having the image saved on a phone or device is considered illegal in the state of Illinois (720 ILCS 5/11-20.1); screenshots, saved snaps, or images in group chats can all count as possession if a student chooses not to take further action (such as deleting the image and reporting the incident)
• Talking points for parents: 
  • Never ask for explicit images from others
  • If you receive a message, tell a trusted adult and delete the image

Sharing Explicit Images Can Have Additional Consequences

• Sharing images or videos showing minors in a sexual way can have additional, more serious legal consequences (720 ILCS 5/11-20.1), as well as cause emotional harm to the individual(s) impacted
• Once something is shared online, it can spread very quickly and is “out there” forever; there are not only privacy violation considerations when students share images of others, but also serious potential social-emotional impacts for those who are victims
• Talking points for parents:
  • Never forward or screenshot images of others
  • Even platforms that kids/teens think are “temporary” (such as Snapchat) can count as sharing inappropriate images

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Generated Images Are a Newer Concern

• AI can be used to generate fake, explicit images and to alter images of other children/teens
• Even if the image is fake, it is still considered illegal in cases where it is used to harass, intimidate or bully someone or if it depicts a minor student
• Parents should emphasize that even if an image is fake, it does not take away responsibility or potential consequences for creating or distributing images

Key Takeaways for Families:

1. Have developmentally appropriate conversations with students about digital respect (for example, “would you want someone else sharing a picture of you without permission?” or “would you want someone sharing something embarrassing about you or your body?”)
2. Tell kids what to do if they receive an image (report to a trusted adult; delete the image after sharing with an adult, do not share further)
3. Tell kids what to do if they believe they are a victim (save any evidence they may have, tell a trusted adult)
4. Monitor online activities of children (get to know the apps your child uses, set technology limits/restrictions)
5. Encourage kids to come forward with concerns, encourage conversation

School-based Teaching 

This important topic deserves dedicated attention and explicit teaching, to ensure that all students in grades 5-12 receive key information related to safe online behaviors. A schedule for teaching and related teaching materials at the high school level can be found in the table below:

Grade Level	Time/Location	Content Link
9	Wednesday, 3/18 1st period - PAC	SLIDE DECK   (NOTE: The first QR code leads to a student poll that includes true/false questions that align with Slides 5-7)
10	Wednesday, 3/18 2nd period - PAC
11	Wednesday, 3/18 3rd period - PAC
12	Wednesday, 3/18 8th period - PAC

NOTE: Students at the middle/high school levels who are in certain specialized classrooms will receive adapted teaching regarding safety topics (they will not attend grade-level assemblies)

Additional Resources for Families
What should I teach my child about safe online behavior? (Common Sense Media)
Parents’ Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls (Common Sense Media)
AI Deepfakes Parent Toolkit (Cyber Safety Project; NOTE: this resource includes some helpline contact information outside of the United States)
Common Sense Media Infographic - Teens and Pornography (Common Sense Media)

Thank you for your partnership on this important topic. Together, we can instill values of respect for others and integrity - in alignment with district values and Portrait of a Graduate teaching. 

Sincerely,

John Walsh