By TR Robertson
The audience was on the small side, but the information the adults in attendance received could protect and save the lives of the children in their household as they heard from a panel of experts speaking on “Protecting Our Youth in the Age of A.I. and Social Media Deception”, on Tuesday evening in the Morris B. Vance Community Room at the Civic Center. Around 25 adults and 25 teenagers listened to thirteen speakers from a variety of educational, governmental, medical, and social assistance agencies as they discussed topics ranging from human trafficking & exploitation to health services to drug use to internet abuse to protective services and much more. The Soroptimist International of Vista & North County Inland, the City of Vista, and Vista Unified School District sponsored the program.
In speaking with a member of the Soroptimist International group, it was mentioned that they had released the information about the presentation a little too late to reach more people. One suggestion to increase attendance is to leverage the parent associations at the district’s schools, as well as the social information systems each school has. Some schools in Vista Unified have had similar presentations, and each of the presenters in this session mentioned that they have groups that visit individual schools to deliver presentations on the topics covered this evening.
The Tuesday evening presentation began with a welcome from Dr. Edward Kramer, the City of Vista Emergency Management Coordinator, who spoke about the importance of the evening and the speakers the group would hear. Dr. Kramer introduced Vista Fire Chief Gerard Washington, who also welcomed the group and spoke about his concerns regarding many of the topics to be discussed this evening. Next was Dr. Shawn Loescher, Assistant Superintendent of Vista Unified, who thanked the parents who took the time to attend tonight’s presentation and expressed his concern about students’ safety in the digital world, which he said is very different from the world he grew up in. Allison Temple and Nellie Jarerous, from the Soroptimist International V/NCI, welcomed the audience and spoke about the importance of their group sponsoring this informational presentation.
Dr. Kramer then introduced the first panel presenter, Summer Stephan, San Diego County District Attorney and Chairwoman of the National District Attorneys’ Association. Summer told everyone to watch out for illegal apps that are easily disguised and hard to recognize. She reminded parents that parenting is challenging in today’s world, and communication is essential at all times. She also reminded parents that it is crucial to let your children know you are always there for them, even if something goes wrong in their lives. She told everyone that Vista has a special place in her heart because she spent seven years there at the courthouse. One of the most dangerous topics she spoke of was how dangerous Fentanyl is, even killing children in elementary schools.
She thanked Vista for being active in Fentanyl education and said that Vista had 0 Fentanyl deaths last year.
One of the issues they are dealing with is the ability of individuals to order prescription drugs online without a doctor’s prescription, and some of these drugs are being laced with Fentanyl. Another issue they deal with is exploitation, and Summer reminded those in attendance, mainly the students attending, that distributing nude photos on your phones can result in your arrest and being charged with child pornography if the person in the picture is under the age of 18. She summed up by saying that our democracy only works when people uphold the laws that are established.
Dr. Kramer said the rest of the speakers tonight would be dealing with human trafficking and exploitation, illegal drugs, cyberbullying, and illegal use of AI and other online issues. He then introduced Ryan Karkenny, Assistant Division Chief for the Economic Crimes Division of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. Karkenny told the audience that tonight’s session is not about fear but about awareness. He said any time you are on the internet, you initially have to ask yourself if the site you are on is legitimate and added that the online world is the real world of today, but you still must remain diligent. As to the rising use of A.I. he said this is the “new game” and it can be used illegally as well as legally. Since 95% of all teens use some sort of social media daily, an average of 4 hours a day, it is important for parents to know and understand what is going on in their social online world. The key word said by all of the presenters at the session, communication is the key word between all children and parents. He gave a personal story about his own children requesting a specific social account and a discussion with them about why they felt they needed it and what was the purpose of them having it.
The next speaker was Claudia Garcia Grasso, Deputy District Attorney, Executive Director, One Safe Place, San Diego County Family Justice Centers. One Safe Place is located at 1050 Los Vallecitos Road in San Marcos. This facility provides a place where individuals over 12 can contact them about issues they feel are unsafe in their life and find a safe haven with tremendous support systems.
They deal with issues like domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, child abuse, elder abuse, hate crimes, gang violence and more.
They help provide counseling, clothing, food, shelter, education, transportation, medical attention and much more. Marjorie Saylor, also from One Safe Place, is the Director of Human Trafficking Services. She also went over the services One Safe Place provides and specifically spoke about sex exploitation issues. As a survivor herself, Marjorie related how things have changed since she had been exploited and said the internet, and now A.I., is making it harder to track and stop illegal activity. She also said that the lack of safety measures in dealing with A.I. makes it even harder to stop the illegal activity. All social media formats are being used to contact young people and make online connections. Marjorie said parents need to know what social online connections their children are involved in even though this might be an uncomfortable conversation to have. She mentioned www.covenenteyes.com as a site parents can look for help, as well as One Safe Place.
Keelin Washington was the next speaker, also a survivor and advocate, Senior Director of Programs, Generate Hope. Generate Hope also offers a safe haven for survivors of sex trafficking. She said there is a process that traffickers go through online and face to face. It begins with a process called grooming to build a relationship with a potential victim.
She also spoke about her experience that ended after 3 ½ years of being moved around 13 different states.
She said fake profiles are used on the internet to make contact with young people. When she asked the students in the audience how many were online gamers, a significant portion raised their hands. Keelin said that most of the online games have a chat section that is being used to make illegal contact with potential victims.
Carina Delgado, Program Manager, Vista Community Clinic, was the next speaker. Carina spoke about the alcohol and other drug prevention assistance offered at the clinic. She described the growing opioid and fentanyl crisis and said unfortunately these particular illegal drugs are relatively easy to obtain. Fentanyl is especially dangerous and can be used to lace other drugs, like marijuana and cocaine. It is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Carina pointed out that everyone in the audience can pick up, free of charge, Fentanyl Test Strips and Naloxone HCI Nasal Spray (Narcan) Emergency Treatment Nasal Spray for Opioid Overdose at the table in the back of the room. Also available was information about a Vista Community Violence Intervention Action Plan Meeting to be held December 4th at the Vista Innovation Center from 5-7 PM. Registration is required and dinner will be provided.
A number of the students left during this presentation as they had completed the requirement from the high school they attended. The students were also required to take notes. More students, especially middle and high school students, should be required to hear presentations like this to make them more aware of what is happening in the digital world and what they need to do if they suspect something is threatening and/or illegal.
Omar Sarwan and Kaytlin Barr, District Social Workers, defined human trafficking and Sextortion. Sextortion is when someone threatens to distribute private and sensitive information if you don’t provide them with something they want. She said all ages of young people are highly susceptible to becoming involved if they happen to make the wrong inappropriate online connections and if parents are not monitoring their online activity.
Several additional speakers finished the evening, and a short question and answer session followed.
For more information go to:
www.vcc.org – Vista Community Clinic – 760-631-5000
www.generate.org – Generate Hope
www.covenanteyes.com – Covenant Eyes
www.thehotline.org – National Domestic Violence Hotline
www.sdcda.org – San Diego County District Attorney website.
www.ospsandiegocounty.gov – One Safe Place
www.sandiego.gov/cityattorney/media/resources/sdfjc – San Diego County Family Justice Center
