The seventh annual Cyber Crime Prevention Symposium was being held Thursday at the California Endowment Center near downtown Los Angeles to teach people about Internet-related security issues.
The daylong seminar is geared toward middle school students and high school students, parents and educators, and covers various topics, including staying safe online, handling cyber-bullying and maintaining a sound “digital reputation.”
The gathering brings together more than 300 educators, parents and students and is coordinated by the Los Angeles County Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, known as ICAN.
ICAN includes various city, state and federal agencies, as well as community organizations and individuals from the private sector. ICAN serves as the official county agent to coordinate the development of services for the prevention, identification and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
“Children who are growing up in this high tech age are being targeted by online predators at an alarmingly high rate,” said Deanne Tilton Durfee, ICAN’s executive director.
“Each year, this symposium will provide participants with resources and tools to help children learn how to protect themselves and be safe in the cyber world, while enjoying all of the benefits of the fast-growing technologies,” she said.
Taking part in Thursday’s conference are the FBI, Los Angeles Police Department and L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.
—Staff and wire reports