The Online Safety Forum for Parents hosted by Collier County Public Schools will help families understand online risks facing children today. The forum takes place on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in Naples.
Collier County Public Schools is hosting the event in partnership with local law enforcement and community organizations. The focus is practical: social media misuse, online gaming risks, child exploitation, and human trafficking.
For families in Collier and Lee Counties, this forum offers a local opportunity to hear real-world information from people working directly on child protection concerns.
Where is the Online Safety Forum for Parents being held?
The forum will be held at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrative Center Board Room.
- What: Community Forum on Online Safety and Child Protection
- When: Monday, May 11, 2026 | 6:00 p.m.
- Where: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrative Center Board Room (5775 Osceola Trail, Naples, FL)
The event is designed for families who want to better understand the digital spaces where children spend time. That includes social media platforms, online games, and other internet-based communication.
Why is this child online safety forum important for families?
Recent data shared by the Collier County Sheriff’s Office shows why this topic is urgent for local families.
- Reports of AI-generated child sexual abuse material have increased by more than 31,000% nationwide in the past three years.
- Cases of sextortion and online enticement have risen by more than 3,400% since 2021.
- From 2023-2025, the Southwest Florida Intercept Task Force initiated more than 2,600 investigations and identified 177 child victims.
- Local law enforcement seized approximately 500,000 files of child sexual abuse material during that same period.
These numbers can feel overwhelming. The purpose of the Online Safety Forum for Parents is to turn concern into useful knowledge and action.
The forum will focus on the growing threats children may face online. It will also address how families can better recognize risks in the digital landscape.
What online risks will parents learn about at the forum?
The forum will address several areas that affect children and teens online. These topics are connected because children often move between apps, games, messages, and social spaces throughout the day.
- Social media misuse
- Online gaming risks
- Child exploitation
- Human trafficking
- Sextortion and online enticement
- AI-generated child sexual abuse material
Collier County Public Schools says the forum is designed to equip families with practical knowledge, real-world insights, and actionable tools. The goal is to help families better safeguard children in today’s digital landscape.
This can be especially helpful if your child uses online games, social media, chats, or shared devices. Even families with strong household rules may benefit from hearing current information from local experts.
Next step: Make a list of the apps, games, and online spaces your child uses most often.
Who is hosting the Online Safety Forum for Parents?
Collier County Public Schools is hosting the forum in partnership with local law enforcement and community organizations. The event is part of a broader effort to help families understand and respond to online child safety concerns.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office shared the data behind the forum’s urgency. Local law enforcement and community partners will help provide information rooted in real investigations and local experience.
For parents in Collier and Lee Counties, this event can offer a clearer picture of what child exploitation and online enticement may look like today. It also gives families a chance to hear about these issues in a local setting.
How can parents prepare before attending?
You do not need to be a technology expert to benefit from this forum. The event is intended to help families gain practical knowledge and tools.
Before you attend, consider writing down the online safety questions that matter most in your home. You may want to think about social media, gaming, messaging, privacy, or how to recognize concerning online behavior.
- Review what devices your child uses.
- Write down the apps, games, and platforms your child mentions often.
- Think about any recent online safety concerns in your home.
- Bring a notebook or use your phone to take notes.
The forum will not replace ongoing family conversations, but it can give you better language and local context for those talks.
Share the event with another parent, caregiver, or school family who may benefit.
What should families do if they want to attend?
Families who want to attend the Online Safety Forum for Parents should plan to arrive at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Administrative Center Board Room by 6:00 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2026.
The address is 5775 Osceola Trail, Naples, FL. The press release did not list a registration requirement, cost, or contact phone number.
This forum is a timely opportunity for parents and caregivers who want to better protect children from online exploitation and human trafficking risks. It also gives families in Collier and Lee Counties a local place to learn more about online safety concerns affecting children.