Helping Kids Stay Safe in the Digital Space: Green Bay YMCA Leads Five Days of Action®
In today’s connected world, kids are spending more time in the digital space than ever – learning, playing, and communicating. With that comes the need for vigilance and awareness.
That’s why the Greater Green Bay YMCA is proud to participate in the Five Days of Action® (April 13-17), a national movement to protect children from abuse and promote safety in all spaces where kids live, learn, and play.
As a Praesidium Accredited YMCA, we are committed to the highest standards of child abuse prevention. This accreditation reflects the intentional policies, trainings, and culture we have in place every day to keep children safe, and why we’re proud to lead and elevate this important work in our community.
This year’s theme focuses on digital safety, empowering families with tools to help children navigate technology responsibly and safely.
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 infographic1 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.
In addition to recognizing grooming behaviors, it’s important to understand how online interactions between peers can also become harmful, Cyberbulling; such as repeated harassment, sharing embarrassing content, or creating fake profiles; can have a serious impact on a child’s mental and emotional well-being. Warning signs may include changes in device use, emotional reactions to screens, or withdrawal from social activities. Encouraging open communication and teaching kids how to respond to harmful behavior online are key steps in keeping them save.
Click here to learn more about Cyberbullying.
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)
As artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of kids’ digital experiences, from content recommendations to creative tools, having open, curiosity-driven conversations at home is more important than ever. Resources like the Activity Guide for Parents: Talking to Your Kids about AI offer simple, age-appropriate ways to explore how AI works, encourage critical thinking, and help children understand how technology shapes what they see and experience online.
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
Families may also benefit from using a structured digital safety checklist to guide conversations and set clear expectations at home. Tools like the American SPCC Family Digital Safety Toolkit provide step-by-step guidance for setting parental controls, creating family media agreements, and building healthy communication habits around technology use, helping families stay proactive and connected in an every-changing digital world.
1Elizabeth L. Jeglic, Georgia M. Winters, Benjamin N. Johnson, Identification of red flag child sexual grooming behaviors, Child Abuse & Neglect, Volume 136, 2023, 105998, ISSN 0145-2134, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105998.
