Maine Adults Encouraged to Attend “Undeletable” in Auburn to Learn How Online Activity Impacts Safety
AUBURN---All Maine adults are encouraged to gather for “Undeletable,” the first collaborative, statewide conference addressing the cyber threat environment and aiming to strengthen the safety and mental health of youth.
The free conference will be held at Saint Dominic Academy, located on 121 Gracelawn Road in Auburn, on Saturday, October 22, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and is designed to assist teachers, parents, youth ministry leaders, and the general public in understanding useful strategies that can keep young people safe both on and off the screen. To register for the event, click here. Teens and staff of public and Catholic schools will attend a similar conference the day before in person and via livestream across the state.
The adult conference will feature expert speakers from local and national law enforcement, who deal with cyber-crimes against children, as well as the Zero Abuse project, a non-profit organization committed to the elimination of child sexual abuse. Topics like the dangers of technology, parental controls, and which apps are used more than others by offenders will take center stage.
The driving force behind “Undeletable” is Catherine Ann Wilson, a former sex trafficking victim in Maine who is now a powerful advocate and the founder of Stop Trafficking US (previously Stop Trafficking ME), an organization committed to educating people with the goal of sparing children this trauma.
“We will encourage the participants to write down questions throughout the day,” said Wilson. “The cyber threat environment is changing, and we must adapt and focus on the dangers of sexting, cyber bullying, and other predatory behaviors using technology. This training has never been offered locally at this scale before.”
The New England Patriots Foundation was so moved by Wilson’s passion and the idea for the events that they awarded her a Myra Kraft Community MVP Award, an honor that was accompanied by $10,000 to help in the production of the conference and in its filming for future use. “Undeletable” is being co-sponsored by the Diocese of Portland, Stop Trafficking US, the Maine School Safety Center, Dirigo Fitness, Portland Pump Company, Maine Marathon, Gorham Savings Bank, and Cross Insurance.
