Online safety meeting geared toward educating parents about social media

Representatives from Facebook will be in Billings on Thursday to help parents learn about online safety and the risks of social media.

"We're talking about the options and tools out there that can help make sure the social media out there is safe for kids," said Sen. Jon Tester, who is hosting the meeting.

Open to the public, the meeting is from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Lewis and Clark Middle School auditorium, 1315 Lewis Ave.

Tester said Lt. Gov. John Bohlinger, Attorney General Steve Bullock, Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau, Billings Mayor Tom Hanel and Billings Public Schools Superintendent Jack Copps will attend the meeting.

Facebook representatives Corey Owens, associate manager of public policy, and Louisa Terrell, director of public policy, will give the presentation.

It's not the first trip that Owens has made to Montana. Owens gave a small-business opportunities workshop in Kalispell in July, attracting 400 participants.

Tester said his staff thought it would be a good idea to invite him to help parents keep their kids safe online.

"We thought it was a good idea to let folks know what the options are out there as the social media world opens up new opportunities out there," Tester said.