Pinellas County Parents Can Get Free Access to App that Helps Protect Children Online

Caregivers and parents in Pinellas County can now add a new tool in their toolbox when it comes to keeping their children safe online. A new coalition created by the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) that includes the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office intends to increase safety online through the use of an app meant to protect children.

Like most kids, when Natasha Duncan’s kids are done playing outside, it’s back inside to the tablets and online games.

“It is heavily monitored,” Duncan said. “My youngest is in homeschool so part of her online activity is through schooling, the Pinellas County school system. She did just start playing Roblox.”

The popular online video game is one of many listed on the new Parent ProTech app, meant to help parents like Natasha Dunkin protect her children. 

“It would be very helpful. I’m very interested in keeping my kids away from predators and all of their behaviors that seem to be all over the internet these days,” she said.

At JWB’s press conference, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said many parents have no idea about the online risks and need to be educated.

“Do you want your kid to be one of these stats? That’s why you should care,” Gualtieri said. “Because they need to be responsible, because these kids don’t know either, these kids are vulnerable, these kids have no idea of what they’re getting themselves into and this digital world is the playground for these predators.”

That’s why the Juvenile Welfare Board teamed up with the sheriff’s office and the makers of the app, Parent ProTech, to school parents about the dangers online.

“It allows the parent to better understand what they can do to help protect their child. So how do I set up parent controls? How do I put firewalls and blocks in areas that keep their kids out of those sensitive areas? So, it’s really giving parents the tools they need to go in and keep their child safe,” Juvenile Welfare Board Interim CEO Mike Mikurak said.

It’s a safety measure Rebecca Albert has already signed on for. She said that signing up for the free membership being offered was simple and so were the options offered.

“If only I had access to this tool several years ago when my child was first entering into the social world, if you will. He’s in high school now,” she said. “It’s really a library of resources, short videos. Sometimes it includes experts but it’s really about tips and tools that parents and caregivers can use to not only become informed about the different platforms their children are using but also ways to keep their kids safe.”

It’s a safety measure Duncan says she plans on taking full advantage of, especially with winter break approaching and the potential for more screen time.

Pictured Above: JWB, PCSO, PCS, Parent ProTech & Committed Partners posed at a December 8, 2025 press conference.

View the full coverage as originally published at https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/12/08/app-helps-protect-kids-online