Porn, al-Qaida put an end to students’ Net-safety lesson

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA

A school district outside Philadelphia halted state-sponsored assemblies about online safety after the presenter made references to al-Qaida, serial killers and child pornography during a talk to 9- and 10-year-olds.

Principal Anne Heffron said in a message to parents of fourth- and fifth-graders at Merion Elementary School in Montgomery County that Wednesday’s 45-minute assembly by the attorney general’s office was intended to promote the use of technology “in a safe and appropriate manner.”

“While there were many worthwhile and timely topics shared with students about the use of technology, there were several comments and topics that were presented that were not age-appropriate for a 9- and 10-year-old audience,” Heffron said.

The attorney general’s office blamed the problems on a “breakdown in communications” and said it was in discussions with the district to reschedule the Operation Safe Surf assemblies.

Heffron, who apologized for any concerns caused, said most of the information was important for students to understand, but officials believe “that the assembly can and should be improved in consideration of the young audience.”