Now that summer is here children will be spending more time on the computer. To assist our community to learn how to prevent our children from becoming a cyber-predator or cyber-victim Behavioral Health Associates has organized a FREE informative seminar for Pa. residents.

"Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying" will be offered on Wednesday, July 20th, from 6 - 9 p.m. at Behavioral Health Associates, 413 Bridge Street, Lehighton, next to the Weissport bridge. Parents, students over the age of 12, educators, caregivers, skilled workers, and professionals who work with school age children are welcome to attend. This seminar also qualifies for Act 48 credits.The guest speaker is Janene Holter, a law enforcement officer attached to the Office of the Attorney General-Bureau of Investigative Services, Education, and Outreach Division. Prior to her current assignment, Ms. Holter worked for 10 years with the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation and Drug Control.She will inform you about: the internet, social networking sites, & internet games, how predators gain access to our children and how you can prevent this from happening to your child, different ways children can torment one another through cyber bullying and what to do when you child is being bullied through the electronic media. This seminar will feature victims' stories and give a portrait of an online predator. There will also be a question & answer session for attendees.Dr. Helene Katz, a licensed staff psychologist with Behavioral Health Associates and key organizer of BHA's new county-wide anti-bullying initiative, is pleased to coordinate Ms. Holter's Carbon County visit. Dr. Katz says, "According to recent studies released by Attorney General's office, nearly 60 percent of boys who are classified as bullies in grades 6 through 9 were convicted of at least one crime by age 24. And of even greater concern is that in this same group of bullies, 40 percent of the boys had three or more convictions by age 24". Dr. Katz adds that Behavioral Health Associates recognizes the impact bullying has on our children and community and is pleased to complement efforts undertaken by many local school districts.To reserve your seat call Behavioral Health Associates at 610-379-0067 weekdays between 8:30- 4:30 p.m.. Seating is limited. Reservation deadline is July 15th.Behavioral Health Associates is a non-profit healthcare foundation based in the Lehighton area.