Source: The Ottawa Sun
Edition: May 13, 2005
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Protecting kids from predators lurking in cyberspace is the objective of an Internet safety workshop being held by local police and community members this Saturday.
The free web safety and awareness presentation, called Internet 101: Surfing Safely, will be held at the Silver City Cineplex at 2385 City Park Dr. from 10 a.m. to noon.
Aimed at children between 10 and 14 and their parents, the event is the first of its kind in Ontario and is hosted by the RCMP, Ottawa police, OPP and military police.
"I think this presentation is definitely a good way to illustrate to everyone just how dangerous the Internet can be," said OPP Const. Diana Hampson.
The workshop will address a growing concern for police -- trying to combat Internet crimes against children.
"Locally, this is something that is growing maybe somewhat in alarming rate," said Hampson. "In the last two years, I would say, is when we started seeing the nature of this crime."
The workshop will help educate kids who surf the web and their parents who might not be aware of the threat posed by the Internet.
"What we found in doing a little bit of exploring into certain local sites, there is so much information being gathered by predators, photos of young girls and the ages get younger and younger," said Hampson.
Presentations will be made in French and English and refreshments, prizes and a free movie will follow the workshop.
For more information on the workshop, log on to www.internet101.ca, or call Mark Houldsworth at 236-1222, ext. 6034, or Michel Brisson at 993-5281.
laura.czekaj@ott.sunpub.com
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