More than 48 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 use computers. While that statistic alone is not surprising, the number of hours spent online annually might besome 6 billion hours according to one Internet source.

While much of this time in cyberspace is spent studying, surfing, playing games and chatting, some children are falling victim to destructive and inappropriate online behavior ranging from e-mails from adult predators to those seeking to steal their identity.

To learn how to protect your children and the community from these escalating cyber crimes, i-SAFE America and WVU s Department of Public Safety invite parents, teachers, community leaders, law enforcement officers, teens and preteens alike to a town meeting,Internet Safety for West Virginias Youth,from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 23, in the Gold Room, Evandale Residential Complex (Towers).

Keeping children safe on the Internet is the whole idea behind this session,said Sgt. Danny Camden, WVU public safety officer.Weve all heard stories about children who have been lured away from their homes because of manipulative adults theyve met in chat rooms, for example. Information will be presented about the current Intent safety landscape and how education and community awareness is key to protecting children and families from being victimized.

For more information or to register, contact www.isafe.org or call Kent Gates at 760-603-7911 ext. 30.

i-SAFE is a congressionally funded nonprofit Internet safety education foundation.