Five Days of Action: Helping Kids Stay Safe in the Digital Space

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to reaffirm our shared commitment to protecting children in our community. As part of this commitment, the South Shore YMCA is once again participating in the Five Days of Action® a week-long, national campaign designed to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and empower adults with the knowledge and tools to prevent it. Through this campaign and our comprehensive, year-round abuse prevention practices, the Y is steadfast in its promise to create safe, nurturing environments for all children.

That commitment is further strengthened by a significant milestone: the South Shore YMCA is proud to be among the first YMCAs in Massachusetts to achieve Praesidium Accreditation, a nationally recognized distinction that demonstrates excellence in abuse prevention policies, training, and practices. This accreditation reflects our dedication to continuous improvement and accountability when it comes to child safety.

In today’s increasingly connected world, children are spending more time online: learning, playing, and communicating in digital spaces that are constantly evolving. While technology offers incredible opportunities, it also introduces new risks, making vigilance and awareness more important than ever for families and caregivers.

That’s why this year’s Five Days of Action focuses on digital safety, equipping families, caregivers, and trusted adults with resources to help children navigate technology responsibly and safely. By participating in this national movement, the South Shore YMCA joins Ys across the country in promoting safety in all spaces where kids live, learn, and play—both online and in person.

In 2026, the Y has partnered with Praesidium, National Center for Exploited and Missing Children (NCMEC), Lauren’s Kids, and National Children’s Alliance to offer additional resources for parents and caregivers. You’ll find all the partner resources below. To join the movement or sign the pledge, visit fivedaysofaction.org.

Recognizing Red Flags

Certain behaviors can signal risk for child sexual abuse and understanding them helps you act early to keep kids safe. This infographic shows what to watch for—whether the behavior may be low, moderate, or high risk—and these behaviors, or grooming, can show up both in person and online situations. Visit nationalchildrensalliance.org/the-real-red-flags-of-grooming for more information on red flag behaviors from National Children’s Alliance.

Staying on Top of Digital Trends

From apps to gaming, staying on top of digital trends can be overwhelming. NCMEC offers free resources to help trusted adults understand online risks—including sextortion and the growing use of generative AI—and talk with kids about staying safe. Check out the tip sheets below and be sure to explore the other NCMEC resources at ncmec.org/netsmartz/resources.

• Generative AI Tip Sheet (English)
• Sextortion Tip Sheet (English)
• Sextortion Tip Sheet (Spanish)

Monitoring Digital Use

Did you know 1 in 5 children who use a digital device will be sexually solicited online? Technology changes fast, and kids are targeted on the apps, games, and sites they love. Having a Cyber P.L.A.N., monitoring device use, and teaching online safety rules can help keep your child safe. Lauren’s Kids has provided the following resources by age group to help you learn how to set boundaries, teach good cyber habits, and protect your family online.

• Kindergarten – Grade 2
• Grade 3 – Grade 5
• Middle School
• High School
• Spanish-language Cyber P.L.A.N. Resources for Families

We Wear Blue: Our Pledge to Protect Children

Join us in committing to helping raise awareness and protecting children from sexual abuse in our community. On April 15, our teams will be wearing blue to show our commitment to child protection. Come visit our Y locations and pledge to protect children. Wear blue with us!

 

 

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About Praesidium

The South Shore YMCA is Accredited by Praesidium, which publicly demonstrates our commitment to safety and adherence to the highest standards in abuse Prevention.

Praesidium specializes in preventing sexual abuse in organizations that serve youth and vulnerable adults. For more than 25 years, the company has reviewed over 4,000 cases of abuse within organizations to determine the root causes of sexual abuse within organizational settings. Praesidium employs more than 40 staff, including licensed social workers, lawyers, psychologists, health care researchers, and other experts. The company has served over 5,000 clients with a broad range of products and services to aid organizations in preventing abuse, including online and instructor‐led trainings; organizational risk assessments; model policies and incident investigations. Having trained more than one million people online and hundreds of thousands in person, Praesidium is the largest and most comprehensive sexual abuse risk management firm globally.