(Green Bay, Wis) – The Sexual Assault Center of Family Services is inviting parents, caregivers and other community members to drop off their old smartphones, tablets and other handheld devices, Feb. 23-24 to have them recycled for free.

The event is aimed at preventing children and teens from gaining unsupervised access to the internet and is being held in conjunction with the center’s Give BIG Green Bay campaign. Many of the old devices in our junk drawers can still connect to Wi-Fi. With that, kids and teens can use them to gain unsupervised access to social media and messaging apps. This can put them at risk of predators online.

“My hope is that this drive will raise awareness of a simple step parents can take to further ensure their child’s safety,” said Tana Koss, Vice President of programming at Family Services.

Koss says the idea for the drive came in part from the Sexual Assault Center staff and their work with victims of online abuse, harassment and human trafficking. But also, from her own experience as a parent whose child was found to be using an unmonitored device to access the internet.

Holli Fisher, who manages the Sexual Assault Center, says awareness of the issue is key.

“Parents and caregivers play a critical role in protecting kids online. As soon as a child starts using a phone, mobile device or computer, it’s time to talk to them about online behavior and safety.”

Those wishing to drop off their old devices can place them in the collection box in the lobby of Family Services at 300 Crooks St, Green Bay, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 and Feb. 24. Additional drop-off sites include Ashwaubenon Public Safety, Brown County Sheriff’s Office and the Pulaski Police Department.

Accepted devices include iPods, smartphones, tablets and handheld gaming devices. Laptops or larger will not be accepted.

The Sexual Assault Center of Family Services is one of 45 nonprofits selected to participate in Give BIG Green Bay. Those who wish to support their cause and others are encourage to go online and make a donation from noon to noon, Feb. 23-24 at www.givebiggreenbay.org.

To view full detail about the device drive or to help spread the word, download the event flyers in English and Spanish.