Hermon Middle School administration, faculty, and students are offering their sincere thanks to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for a powerful and timely presentation of their "Project iGuardian" program held on October 15th, 2025.
The DHS Project iGuardian is an essential educational outreach initiative focused on combating online child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) by equipping students, parents, and educators with the knowledge and tools to stay safe in the digital world. The program is driven by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents who share their expertise and real-world case studies in age-appropriate formats.
"In today's interconnected world, digital safety is just as important as physical safety," said Zackary Freeman. "The 'iGuardians' presentation was incredibly impactful. The HSI agents provided our students with vital, practical information on recognizing online threats—such as grooming and sextortion—and reinforced the importance of speaking up to a trusted adult. We are profoundly grateful to Homeland Security for making this crucial education a priority in our community."
The presentation, tailored for middle school students, covered key topics including:
Understanding online enticement and grooming tactics.
The concept of data permanency and the long-term consequences of posting online.
The dangers of sexting and sextortion.
How to report suspicious activity to parents, school officials, or law enforcement.
Students participated in the interactive session and left with a greater understanding of how to be responsible digital citizens and how to protect themselves and their peers from predators.
Hermon Middle School urges all parents to continue the dialogue with their children about online safety using the tools and resources provided by the Project iGuardian initiative and the broader DHS Know2Protect campaign. The school looks forward to future opportunities to collaborate with the Department of Homeland Security to ensure a safer environment for all students.
About Project iGuardian: Project iGuardian is the official in-person educational arm of the Department of Homeland Security’s Know2Protect campaign. It is an outreach effort led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents designed to educate the public—especially children, teens, and trusted adults—on the dangers of online child sexual exploitation and abuse and how to report suspected crimes.