HOWELL, Mich. (News 10) — LACASA is hosting a national expert today to help parents and professionals address children’s exposure to online pornography and exploitation.
One in three children will see pornography online before age 11, according to data from Dr. Mandy Sanchez, a national expert leading a series of training sessions today. The sessions are giving parents and professionals practical tools to spot danger before it starts.
Sessions cover social media, gaming, AI
The training sessions are addressing the impacts of social media, gaming, online pornography and artificial intelligence on youth.
Dr. Sanchez said easy online access to hyper-sexualized media can alter how young people view relationships while increasing vulnerability to digital exploitation and grooming.
She said the goal of today’s event is to remove the stigma around these topics and emphasize that a simple conversation can protect a child.
“Kids are on social media and gaming platforms. If we know kids are on those spaces, we also know that some nefarious actors are on those spaces as well. So we have to understand those platforms. We have to know what kids are doing on those platforms, how they’re interacting with each other,” Sanchez said.
Two sessions offered Wednesday
LACASA is hosting two separate sessions Wednesday.
An afternoon workshop will run from 1 to 4 p.m. for teachers and counselors, followed by a free community training tonight from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Registration is required for both sessions.
Tonight’s parent and community session will be live streamed on LACASA’s Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.
Stream News 10 Lansing on your favorite devices! Here’s how to download the News 10+ app on Roku, Fire TV or Apple TV.
Be the first to see the Mid-Michigan headlines you care about – download the News 10+ app and subscribe to our News 10 newsletter and YouTube page to receive the latest local news and weather.
Copyright 2026 WILX. All rights reserved.
