UCSD Joins Microsoft in Sponsoring
Summit on Cyber Security and Internet Safety

By Pat JaCoby | June 6, 2005

Paula, Simon and Randy weren't on hand to judge, but their comedic substitutes took over as a decidedly "American Idolesque" competition climaxed the first national computing safety and cyber security summit Friday at UCSD sponsored by Microsoft in collaboration with UCSD, i-SAFE America and Taking It Global.

San Diego area high school students eagerly participated in the "American Idolesque" competition during the first national computing safety and cyber security summit at UCSD.

More than 750 San Diego area high school students attended the daylong Youth Summit for Online Safety designed to provide teens with the skills they need to help them safely navigate the Internet. The innovative program wired each of the students directly to the stage in RIMAC Arena so they could participate real time in audience quizzes and polls.

Working in breakout sessions, the students created jingles, public service announcements, billboards, skits and "top 10" lists to bring attention to Internet safety. The highly original entries were then judged by an American Idol-like panel, members of the "Groundlings Comedy Theater" of Los Angeles.

The meeting opened with a greeting from Chancellor Marye Anne Fox, who noted the university's delight to be a part of the collaborative effort bringing together industry leaders and academia to help provide young people with the skills they need to navigate the information superhighway safely.

Members of a panel discussing aspects of cyber safety included William Griswold, UCSD professor of computer science and engineering, and Tadayoshi Kohno, cryptography and computer security expert with the UCSD computer science and engineering department. Among topics covered by the panel and in student skits were cyber bullying, cyber terrorism, cyber predators and intellectual property.

Olympic Gold Medalist and world champion track star Michael Johnson.

Michael Johnson, Olympic Gold Medalist and world champion track star, was on hand throughout the day to emphasize the theme that "with 77 million kids online this year and summer vacation beginning, teens need to be cyber street-smart."

"It is an interesting paradox," noted Susan Koehler, senior director of consumer safety at Microsoft, "while teens are vulnerable, they also are very savvy users of technology. With the right knowledge and awareness, they have the potential to be a huge part of the solution when it comes to making the Internet safer."

The highly-charged, enthusiastic students attending the event represented The Preuss School, High Tech High, and Mt. Miguel, Westview, Poway, San Diego, Miramar and Chula Vista high schools.

Steve Relyea, vice chancellor for Business Affairs, spearheaded UCSD's participation while UCSD students helped with the registration, food distribution and logistics.