“Internet Safety Day” NR23019dm

Teaching and empowering youth to be safe online has never been so urgent, and so important, as internet crimes against children continue to rise.

In anticipation of Internet Safety Day on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, the Los Angeles Regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (LA ICAC Task Force) is partnering with several key safety organizations to help guide the critical discussions and education that must take place with our children, who turn to computers and phones every day.

Parents, guardians and educators need to know how to talk to children about issues that children are confronting online, including cyberbullying, sexting, sextortion, livestreaming and how to safely navigate social media. These are difficult topics, but crucial conversations. The LA ICAC Task Force encourages parents, guardians or educators to use these free resources:

• The LA ICAC Task Force joins as a partner with Saferinternetday.us and their host ConnectSafely. These partners provide internet safety resources and activities on their website to include a free virtual event for parents on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, 4:30 PM (PST), No Room for Doom: Helping Your Family Thrive in Our Digital Age.

• The ICAC Task Force’s own website offers detailed information and a resource directory to help guide you about the critical issues you need to know as a child’s parent, guardian or educator. The site is a good starting point to help you parent in this age of screens.

• Our partner, Netsmartz, offers multiple, age-appropriate and engaging ways to teach students and inform parents and others about digital citizenship and online safety.

The LA ICAC Task Force is comprised of over 90 federal, state and local affiliate laws enforcement agencies that detect and investigate child predators who use the Internet to contact children or deal in child sexual abuse material.

All are reminded that any suspected inappropriate contact with a child, or knowledge of child sexual abuse material on the internet, should be immediately reported to local law enforcement agencies or to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at (800) 843-5678, or missing kids.com. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children will forward the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency nationwide.

Anyone with information contact Internet Crimes Against Children, Detective III Maurice Kwon at 562- 624-4027. During non-business hours, or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call the LA Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477) or go directly to www.lacrimestoppers.org.

Tipsters may also visit www.lapdonline.org, and click on “Anonymous Web Tips” under the “Get Involved-Crime Stoppers” menu to submit an online tip. Lastly, tipsters may also download the “P3 Tips” mobile application and select the LA Regional Crime Stoppers as their local program.