Even though the United States is the only country on the planet that hasn't ratified the nearly 34-year-old UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, US-based companies that serve kids and teens around the world no longer have any excuse not to uphold their rights. Why is that the case? Not "only" because young people's lives are now "digital by default," as psychology professor Sonia … [Read more...] about Game-changer: Child rights-by-design
childrens rights
Then there’s the flip side of ChatGPT
Consider this Part 2. Earlier this month I wrote about the earliest takes on ChatGPT, zooming in on how it could be really good for media literacy education. Now we know more. So below another dimension of this new technology with a cautionary note.... Ok, the dark side. I don't usually go "there," because, well, our brains typically do, by default, whenever a new technology emerges, and there … [Read more...] about Then there’s the flip side of ChatGPT
Global network of Net safety regulators: Let’s think on this
In my last, pre-FOSI, post about this social media meltdown I told you I'd report back about what people would say about it at the conference. But there was actually very little said – only, rightfully, sadness for all the tech workers who've been laid off (my post has numbers). In his closing remarks, FOSI CEO Stephen Balkam even asked the audience to let him know of any job openings they're … [Read more...] about Global network of Net safety regulators: Let’s think on this
‘Playful by Design,’ a landmark report
What better subject to zoom in on during the holiday season than play? I've written a lot on the subject, here, through the years but, in a way, this is Part 4 of a series I started in 2009 (here are the 2nd and 3rd parts). So now, at the turn of a new year, it’s not only a perfect time but high time to come back to the power of play. Happy holidays to all who celebrate them, happiness to those … [Read more...] about ‘Playful by Design,’ a landmark report
Apple & the child online safety challenge
2nd important update Sept. 19: As if in direct response to the open letter from privacy activists around the world, the WeProtect Global Alliance published their own statement saying Apple must not pause its expanded protections, the Guardian reported. I stand by my thoughts in the update just below. We need privacy activists and protection activists in the same room answering the questions: Would … [Read more...] about Apple & the child online safety challenge