Westchester County prosecutors visited Bronxville Middle School to teach students about online dangers and the legal consequences of digital behavior.

Assistant District Attorneys Laura Forbes and Kevin Griffin, along with Criminal Investigator Autumn Edwards, led a workshop covering how to recognize potential dangers and stay safe on social media, gaming platforms and messaging apps, the school announced Thursday, Sept. 24.

All three work in the Westchester County District Attorney's Office under District Attorney Susan Cacace.

Forbes also held a separate session for parents. That meeting focused on recognizing red flags in children's online activity and helping families navigate the digital world safely.

"Their expertise led critical, age-appropriate discussions regarding the dangers, legal realities, and long-term consequences associated with digital communication and online behavior," Principal Joe Mercora said.

Both sessions encouraged families to reduce unsupervised screen time and to build safer digital habits together.

The DA's office internet safety program reaches well beyond Bronxville. The county's 2026 proposed operating budget calls it "our most requested public safety presentation" and notes "a tremendous uptick" in requests during 2025.

Prosecutors and investigators visit classrooms, auditoriums, PTAs and community events across Westchester as part of the office's dedicated Cyber Crimes Bureau.

The visit fits a broader push at Bronxville School to rethink how students use technology. The Board of Education approved a technology strategy June 23 that makes kindergarten classrooms device-free and adds Tech-Free Tuesdays and Fridays for grades 1 and 2. Grades 3 through 5 will have Tech-Free Tuesdays.

Elementary and middle school students will shift from one-to-one devices to shared classroom carts, and sixth and seventh graders will no longer bring Chromebooks home starting in the 2026-27 school year.

The board described the strategy as emphasizing digital wellness and handwriting over routine screen use.

No follow-up workshop date has been announced.