Two Rivers Child Advocacy Center

06/12/2026

Applying healthy digital boundaries means turning abstract ideas into concrete daily habits that a child can follow.

Screen Time Caps
Screen time boundaries should be adjusted based on the child’s developmental stage and the types of content they consume.

The following provides a general guideline for acceptable screen time based on clinical recommendations:

Under 2 years
0 hours (except video chat)
Sensory and social play

2–5 years
1 hour per day
High-quality educational content

6–12 years
1.5–2 hours per day
Balanced school, play, and tech

13–18 years
Negotiated limits
Focus on health, sleep, and chores

Device-Free Family Zones
Device-free zones and times help protect essential family interactions from the constant pull of digital devices. Designating the dining table, bedrooms, and the car as device-free encourages children to talk with friends and family in person.

Removing digital devices from bedrooms 60 minutes before sleep promotes better sleep by reducing blue light exposure and mental stimulation.

Social Media Access Levels
Social media use should be introduced through a tiered system that matches a child’s maturity level. Digital boundaries might begin with supervised video chats with relatives before progressing to restricted social media or gaming platforms. This gradual exposure allows parents to provide online etiquette coaching before the child encounters the broader public internet.

Content Rating Filters
Content restrictions often rely on established rating systems such as the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) or reviews from Common Sense Media. Parents set clear expectations by only allowing age-appropriate content that aligns with the child’s emotional resilience. Regularly checking these ratings ensures that gaming and streaming activities remain within the healthy habits established by the family.

06/03/2026

It's INTERNET SAFETY MONTH...why is that IMPORTANT?

In the United States, June is designated as Internet Safety Month. The month is a national opportunity to focus on growing online threats that impact everyone — especially our youth.

Almost every kind of online danger, from grooming to sextortion, has spread like wildfire since 2005.

From 2021 to 2022, NCMEC reported a 7,200% increase in financial sextortion targeting children. Sextortion is such a big problem that the FBI issued a formal warning.

The Internet Watch Foundation reported a 19% increase in online sextortion of minors year-over-year from 2023 to 2024.

Reports of Child Sexual Abuse Material increased 87% between 2019 and 2023.

At least one in six kids has experienced cyberbullying, a 3% increase since 2018.

A 2023 study by Economist Impact said that 54% of 18-year-olds reported experiencing some kind of online harm.

NCMEC found that between 2020 and 2023, about half of the children who were kidnapped following online enticement were younger than 15.

TAKING ACTION AGAINST ONLINE HARM HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT.

05/22/2026

Our office will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026.

05/13/2026

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

• Mental illnesses are medical conditions involving changes in emotion, appetite, thinking, or behavior that can affect daily functioning.

• Serious mental illness can substantially interfere with major life activities, including work, school, relationships, and self-care.

• Economic instability, housing insecurity, unemployment, and limited access to healthcare can increase stress and worsen mental health conditions.

• Chronic stress related to financial hardship or unstable housing can contribute to the development or worsening of serious mental illness.

• Early support, including access to stable housing, employment assistance, healthcare, and community programs, improves long-term stability and well-being.

• When people feel respected and understood, they are more likely to seek care and remain connected to services

05/08/2026

National Child Abuse Prevention Month is now behind us, however, it’s important to remember that protecting children does not end in April. Prevention can happen every day.

For parents and caregivers, small actions can make a meaningful difference. Experts recommend several ways families can strengthen protective environments for children:

1️⃣ Encourage open conversations about bodies. Use correct names for body parts and remove shame so children feel comfortable asking questions and speaking up.

2️⃣ Teach personal safety skills. Help children practice saying “no,” stepping away, or speaking up when something feels uncomfortable—even with adults.

3️⃣ Support bodily autonomy. Children should know their body belongs to them, including choosing when they want to give hugs or other affection.

4️⃣ Stay aware of your child’s environment. Pay attention to the adults, caregivers, and online spaces in your child’s life, and reinforce that safety secrets are never okay.

These ongoing conversations help build trust and confidence which are two powerful tools that help children seek help when something does not feel right.

Two Rivers CAC works every day to support children and families impacted by abuse. Healing happens here, and prevention begins with informed, supportive communities.

Image result from ymcasm.org

05/01/2026

Special thanks to an anonymous donor who dropped off these sweet hygiene baskets for teens.

04/29/2026

What are ACES? This article explains risk factors and prevention.

This page defines adverse childhood experiences, presents the latest data, and describes outcomes.

04/22/2026

If you suspect child abuse or neglect you have a social responsibility to report it to Illinois DCFS. Bystander intervention and reporting are crucial.

If you suspect child abuse, call 1-800-25ABUSE or visit childabuse.illinois.gov

Bystander intervention is crucial, but it is not without its complexities. Recognizing the signs of various forms of abuse...

04/17/2026

In 2008, Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the pinwheel as the new national symbol for child abuse prevention through Pinwheels for Prevention®.

Each April, communities across the country come together to plant thousands of blue pinwheels, a powerful visual symbol of our collective commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect. But what do these blue and silver pinwheels represent?

Blue pinwheels’ meaning is far beyond their bright color and spinning blades. It is a visual reminder of the happy, healthy, and carefree childhoods all children deserve. The pinwheel reflects hope, resilience, and the promise of a safer future for every child.

Throughout April, celebrate the lives you touch and those who have touched yours by honoring them with a pinwheel

04/13/2026

We were surprised by a group of students who brought donations for goody bags and our comfort corner! Every child that visits the CAC receives a goody bag with snacks and activities, as well as access to hygiene and self-care products. We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to the students and teachers involved in this generous donation!