Your child is on the internet and a message pops up: “Do you want to chat?” Does your child know what to do?

Donald M. Ferguson of OK2SAY recently spent some time with our summer camp children to make sure they know how to respond and stay safe.

“Say, ‘No, I don’t know you. You are a stranger,’” he told the children.

Ferguson discussed internet safety and bullying as part of OK2SAY, a student safety program offered by the Michigan Attorney General’s Office for kids in kindergarten through 12th grade.

During the presentation, Ferguson stressed to never give out personal information, such as your name, address, phone number or picture.

“Don’t give them your phone number,” he warned. “Strangers will call and try to find out when you will be home alone.”

The children also watched a video of Big Bird, one of Sesame Street’s most adored muppets, getting bullied by another bird. He wanted to join the Good Bird Club and the other bird told Big Bird he couldn’t join because he has huge feet and called him “Big Foot.”

“He got bullied on how he looks,” 6-year-old Aubrey said after watching the video.

Ferguson told the children they should talk to a trusted adult if they get bullied or see someone getting bullied.

“If someone bullies you, it’s not your fault,” he said.

OK2SAY is a nationally recognized program designed to enhance school safety by giving students the tools to step up and speak out when they are concerned about their safety or the safety of another. OK2SAY encourages Michigan residents to confidentially submit tips 24/7 using the OK2SAY mobile app, online, email, texting, or by calling trained program technicians.