Sextortion, cybercrimes focus of high school safety lessons

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - In light of recent reports of bullying on Hawaiʻi school campuses and threats that have led to lockdowns, Kaimukī High students are getting valuable lessons from their school resource officers on navigating today’s challenges.

“If you think you’re going to hide behind your fake Instagram or whatever social media profile, just think twice. I just hope all of you make smart choices,” school resource officer Chris Kim said.

School resource officers meet with the classes on a revolving basis. On Tuesday, they spoke to the freshman class about a wide range of safety issues, including the seriousness of making threats online, navigating AI deception, talking to strangers in private messages, and even sextortion.

Kim shared an example of a teen boy who almost fell victim.

“Once he sent that photo, that person on the other side of the screen said, ‘If you don’t send me $500, I’m (going to) post this photo out there. I’m gonna expose you,’” Kim said.

But law enforcement got involved and was able to handle the matter.

“(We’re) here to educate them that there are some ramifications in the event that you may use social media poorly and you start to cyberbully other students. We’re here to let them know that it is against the law,” Kim said.

The School Resource Officer program is reportedly having a positive impact among students.

Community and Crime Prevention Specialist with the Department of the Attorney General Angela Kaiwikuamoʻohoʻihou said students feel more comfortable around uniformed officers and understand they’re there to help.

“Now the kids are starting to realize and learn and sort of build this kind of trust with the SROs that they’re always going to be there for them. They’re always going to look out for them,” Kaiwikuamoʻohoʻihou said.

Kim added that while school lessons are valuable, parents must be involved in their children’s lives and serve as a first line of defense against online predators and other dangers.

“These predators will then swoop in and start to groom (their victims), start showering them with attention and affection, things that are lacking at home,” Kim said.

The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education and Honolulu Police Department launched the SRO program on Oahu in January. In addition to Kaimukī High, retired reserve police officers are currently at Nānākuli High & Intermediate, Waiʻanae High and Kapolei High.