A message from the district attorney's office:
“As we approach the exciting prom and graduation season, it's a time filled with joy and celebration for families and high school students alike. Unfortunately, during this season, we often observe an increase in underage drinking. Data indicates that most of the alcohol consumed by teenagers originates from within their own households. It's essential for parents to remember that serving alcohol to underage children is a crime: Parents, please educate yourself and your children on the below laws:
The Social Host Law:
Imposes fines for knowingly allowing parties where minors consume alcohol. Parents can be liable even if they don't provide alcohol. First and second offenses are violations, while third and subsequent offenses are misdemeanors. Penalties include fines of $250-$1,000 and up to one year imprisonment.
Unlawful dealing with a child in the first degree
:
Giving or selling alcohol to a person under 21, except for educational purposes
Excludes parents/guardians or educators in licensed programs.
Class A misdemeanor.
Endangering the welfare of a child
:
Acting in a manner likely to harm a child's physical, mental, or moral welfare.
Class A misdemeanor.
Parents/guardians may be arrested for providing unreasonable amounts of alcohol or drugs to a child under 17.
False or Fraudulent Identification Cards:
Altering or possessing false IDs is illegal.
Ranges from B misdemeanor to D felony.
Furthermore, underage drinking can lead to a tragedy that is every parent’s worst nightmare. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens, with nearly a third involving underage drinking. Let's prioritize safety this summer by promoting activities that don’t involve alcohol.
Additionally, if you notice any underage drinking in your neighborhood, please report it using the Underage Drinking Tipline at 1-866-UNDER21.
For parents with children in elementary and middle school, it's challenging to ignore the effects that cell phone use can have on our youth. Cyberbullying, unfortunately, is a stark reality of the digital age, often perpetrated by individuals known to the victim. Parents be proactive, foster open communication with your children about online safety and appropriate responses to uncomfortable situations.
With social media platforms now offering safety guides for parents and tools to block or report cyberbullies, it's critical for parents and guardians s to educate themselves and their children on these resources.
Below are just some of the applications available to help monitor your child’s phone usage and location.
Life360: Simple application that allows for tracking of location.
Apple Screentime: Screentime is a built-in control in iPhones. If your child’s phone is connected to your account, you can block specific applications and websites, and limit the time that a child can use a particular app. The Downtime controls in Screentime also allow you to block all activity outside calls and texting during particular hours.
Additionally, guardians need to have upfront conversations addressing sexting, establishing guidelines for safe online interactions, and recognizing warning signs of unhealthy phone habits. By staying informed and actively engaging with their children, parents can create a safer online environment and mitigate the risks associated with social media use.
On behalf of District Attorney Paul Battisti and all the School Resource Officers, we wish you a healthy and safe summer!”