Safer Internet Day: JWB Offers FREE Digital Safety Tools to Pinellas Families

On this Safer Internet Day (Feb. 10), the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB) reminds all parents, grandparents, and caregivers that today’s children are immersed in a digital world where devices drive their learning, play, and social lives, fundamentally reshaping their reality and drastically shifting how they experience childhood. However, this environment also presents significant challenges and evolving dangers.

Cyberbullies, human traffickers, and online predators can enter homes 24/7 through a child’s phone, computer, or gaming device. Left unchecked, it’s as risky as leaving a child’s bedroom window open or your front door unlocked.

“There’s a growing gap between what parents know about technology and how their children actually use it,” stated Michael Mikurak, Interim CEO of the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County (JWB). “Studies tell us that kids average 8 to 11 hours on their devices each day, and online crimes against children are up as well. That’s why JWB launched a groundbreaking initiative to safeguard children online and equip families with vital support.”

As we mark Safer Internet Day—and in a historic first for the nation—JWB is leading the way by removing all barriers and providing free Parent ProTech subscriptions to every Pinellas County household, ensuring universal access to critical online safety resources.

Parent ProTech’s vast online library includes expert-backed guides, videos, conversation starters, and safety recommendations on topics like parental controls, social media, AI, and more. Plus, their experts tirelessly scan the digital horizon, delivering timely and dynamic videos that move as fast as technology does—all to help parents make the internet safer for their kids.

Research consistently shows a strong link between cyberbullying, online harassment, and youth suicide; that’s why JWB added Parent ProTech to our Children’s Mental Health Initiative to help protect children, reduce stigmas, and instill a sense of well-being and belonging.

“JWB has invested Pinellas County tax dollars to protect kids online and help pave a safer path through the internet for the next generation,” continued Mikurak. “If we can prevent even one child from being cyberbullied, trapped by screen addiction, or targeted by online predators, we’ve succeeded!”

Pinellas County Residents, access your free Parent ProTech subscription on Safer Internet Day and start using expert-led video guides and resources today!

Sign up at app.parentprotech.com/jwb

“Stranger Danger” Has Moved Online

• 500,000 predators are active online daily.
• 800,000 sex offenders are known and registered in the U.S. – 1,800 in Pinellas County alone.
• 1,000 counts of child pornography were investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office last year.
• A child’s first exposure to pornography online starts as young as 5!
• Children average 8 to 11 hours on devices daily—even higher during school breaks. Yet, studies show that spending just three (3) hours online doubles their risk of depression and anxiety.
• The U.S. has seen a significant increase in youth suicide, with rates among children aged 10 to 14 increasing by 95% between 2000 and 2018—making suicide the second leading cause of death for youth. This spike has occurred concurrently with increased online and social media use and has been declared a “Youth Mental Health Crisis” by the U.S. Surgeon General.