While the Internet can be a valuable tool for students, it also can present a world of danger.

That was the message presented yesterday, as police and others who work in schools learned ways to spot Internet predators and how to instruct teachers, parents and children about the dangers.

"You show me a chat room, and I'll show you a predator," said Capt. Steve Thomp- son, who runs the Crimes Against Child- ren Unit for Louisville Metro Police, which sponsored yesterday's session at the department's training center on Taylor Boulevard. About 30 people attended.

Thompson warned attendees that seemingly innocuous social networking Web sites have become a breeding ground for predators seeking to lure youngsters into situations that can lead to abuse.

Detective Dan Jackman took attendees through various chat rooms and showed them how much personal information young people give out, including phone numbers and personal details that can lead to their names and addresses.

Attendees were shown several Web sites frequented by predators, given definitions for Web slang, and told how to report crimes through police and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

They were also taught about characteristics of and patterns often used by predators -- for example, they try to build trust by describing similar interests and offering gifts; they sometimes make threats; and may try to arrange a meeting.

While police have been working to lessen the Internet threat, it's a difficult challenge, said Lt. Danny Assef, noting that the Crimes Against Children Unit has only one detective devoted full time to that area.

The hope is that training other members of the police and the Jefferson County Public Schools staff will get the word out faster, Assef said.

"Kids need to be aware that there's people out there trying to make them a victim," he said, noting that people can easily misrepresent themselves on the Internet.

"Kids are acting like they're 16 when they're 12, and predators are acting like they're 16 when they're 43," Assef said.

The dangers of the Internet came as no surprise to John Whitfield, an attendee and therapist with Family & Children First who said he's treated two children in recent months who met predators on MySpace.com.

"Depending on the level of abuse," Whitfield said, "it can have a dramatic impact on the child's psyche." Metro police Officer Cherie Smith, who has worked as a school resource officer for the past three years, said yesterday's session was helpful, even for someone who is in a school, interacting with youngsters.

"A lot of it shocked me, as an officer and a parent, that so much information can be gained off the Internet," Smith said.

Stan Mullen, director of security for the school district, said it's key that teachers and parents be vigilant. While schools provide software to screen out some dangerous Web sites and try to monitor what children are doing, Mullen said, staff members can't stand over every student's shoulder.

"We've got to train our children to protect themselves," he said.

Reporter Jessie Halladay can be reached at (502) 582-4081.

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