NORTHAMPTON TWP., PA (APRIL 28, 2025) - Bucks County Sheriff Fred Harran joined county officials, state legislators, and community stakeholders for field hearing today at the Northampton Township Building focused on enhancing online safety for students in Bucks County. Titled "Protecting Bucks County Students Online: A Field Hearing on Solutions and Legislative Action," the event aimed to address the urgent need for state legislation to improve digital literacy and enhance prevention measures to protect minors from harmful online content and crimes.

The hearing – held during National Child Abuse Prevention Month - serves as a critical step in a legislative campaign. Concurrently with these efforts, Sheriff Harran announced that a pilot program was in the works with a local school district, with technological implementation in the works with a goal of launching later this fall. The program would engage students and educators with the “Deputy” app by Skyll as part of an online safety curriculum similar to a West Virgina law (S.466) passed last year.

"With nearly 40 years in law enforcement, I know how crucial it is to address the real dangers our children face online every day,” said Harran. “Today’s hearing allowed leaders from across the county to hear compelling testimony that underscores the urgent need for proactive solutions, not just reactions. It's imperative that we move forward with a pilot program to equip our schools and parents with better tools to protect students and show the need for both legislative action and education-based prevention efforts."  

Expert testimony was presented outlining the risks children face online – including the rise in sextortion cases. Witnesses included Mary Worthington, M.Ed. - Director of Prevention and Training, Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA); Graeme Page – Founder, Skyll/Board Member, Safe Surfin' Foundation; West Virginia State Senator Vince Deeds – Co-Sponsor of S. 466, a former WV State Trooper, and a prosecutor. (Bios attached) Discussions addressed the practical implementation and feasibility of proposed protective measures, the role of parents and educators in understanding and addressing the issues facing children online, and what steps can – and should – be taken locally.

"Looking through my NOVA lens, I can attest our continuously evolving digital world is placing children and adolescents at risk and victimization to a variety of negative and potentially dangerous exposures that are often of a sexual nature. Reports show that 20% of teenage internet users say they have been the target of unwanted sexual solicitation, and according to Thorn’s 2022 report, 1 in 3 minors reported engaging in some form of online sexual interaction,” said Worthington in her testimony.  “We have seen firsthand technology’s role facilitating Sexual Violence and its impact on victims and their families, from online grooming and sextortion to the alarming increase in AI-generated child sexual abuse images. The internet is an ever-changing landscape and presents significant risks; we must prioritize educating our youth about these risks and harms. We strongly advocate for legislation that requires continuing online safety education programs."

Following testimonies, the panel - including Sheriff Harran, Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn, PA Rep. Kristen Marcell, PA Rep. Joe Hogan, a representative from PA Sen. Frank Farry’s office, Northampton Twp. Chief of Police Steve LeCompte, and Northampton Twp. Chairman Adam Selisker - engaged in a question-and-answer session on a variety of topics.

"This event marks a significant starting point. The conversations and evidence presented here provide a strong foundation for legislative action in Pennsylvania. But we don’t need to wait to address this challenge in Bucks Co. – we want to provide the launching pad for action with education and prevention efforts,” added Harran. “We are committed to working with our state legislators, educators, parents, and community leaders to see meaningful digital safety measures enacted to safeguard our children's well-being."  

Watch the full hearing HERE.

About the Bucks County Sheriff’s Office: Led by Sheriff Frederick A. Harran, the Bucks County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) is a vital law enforcement agency serving the over 630,000 residents of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Sheriff Harran, with over 38 years of law enforcement experience, directs a team of 95 professionals, including 76 sworn deputies, in providing essential services such as court security, warrant execution, civil process, Sheriff's sales, and gun permit administration. The BCSO is committed to proactive community engagement and strong partnerships with the 39 local police departments and state/federal agencies operating within Bucks County. The office operates 24/7 to ensure public safety and uphold justice. For more information, visit bit.ly/BucksSheriff