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Community Corner

Teaching Kids to Be Safe Online

Mother and daughter team up to launch 'Keepin' It Private' to produce instructional media about safe cyber practices.

History books are full of characters who continue to push forward despite staggering obstacles.  Although it is too early to tell if Chatsworth resident Anna Rahm will have a chapter dedicated to her, the 19-year-old is trying to protect young children in this community and across the nation.

Anna and her mom, Lynnette Rahm, want to teach young children and teenagers safe online practices. 

“We want to empower kids to safely and responsibly navigate the Internet,” Lynnette said.

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Anna has been a victim of an online privacy breach, Lynnette said, and though she declined to elaborate, she said that the ubiquity of social media makes online safety a priority.

They plan to do this by producing instructional media through Keepin’ It Private, a non-profit organization.

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Anna and Lynnette launched Keepin’ It Private with a presentation Friday at City Hall, where Councilman Dennis P. Zine introduced the team to the City Council and presented them with a new business certificate.

“Keepin’ It Private is aimed at keeping tweens and teens safe while using social networking media. One out of every five teenagers has sent or received an inappropriate image or message and 25 percent of adolescents have experienced cyber bullying,” Zine said in a statement to Chatsworth Patch.  “I am proud to partner with this organization to promote public safety and help advance their cause,” he added.

To produce the content, Keepin’ It Private has teamed up with a filmmaker who specializes in projects that have a positive social impact, Lynnette said.  She added that their first product would be a DVD with a handful of vignettes and scenarios of teenagers in various negative social media situations, like sexting, cyber bullying, hacking and identity theft.

Anna’s desire to give back to the community stems from the help she received at a difficult stage in her life.

She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, in July 2009.  In addition to chemotherapy, she underwent numerous surgeries, one of which required doctors to amputate her right leg.  In addition to support from family and friends, Anna said a number of non-profit organizations and volunteers stepped forward to help.  One organization helps kids express themselves through art.  Another helps children who are ill attend summer camp.  Yet another provides animal-assisted therapy. 

“I’m such a pet lover,” she said.

Although she missed her senior year of high school, Anna kept up with her classes with a tutor, graduated with her class and attended senior prom, Lynnette said. 

Anna came out of chemotherapy in June 2010, Lynnette said.  She was able to graduate with her senior class and go to the prom thanks to the help of hospital staff. 

Anna, who is currently studying child development at Moorpark College, said she is thankful for the help she received.

“I decided giving back was important.  So many people were giving to me.  I figure a non-profit is the perfect way to start.”

 

 

 

 

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