The "control paradigm" around child online safety, which researchers on three continents have been calling out for at least five years, is in full bloom now. The term comes from a 2019 book by four Australian scholars about how control and surveillance have come to define digital safety, inclusion and citizenship. (Does that give you pause – especially around the citizenship piece?) Among … [Read more...] about Lawmakers, controlling and banning kids doesn’t help
control paradigm
Why I struggle mightily with the new Utah law
Apologies. I am late in writing about this just-passed social media legislation in the state where I live, Utah (have to say my home state is Massachusetts). I'm late partly because I've been in denial. I can't believe that laws so disrespectful of teens' rights of privacy and participation could go on the books. And I can't believe that lawmakers of my generation – some of whom are loving … [Read more...] about Why I struggle mightily with the new Utah law
Why partner with teens on tech: Great new book
At this transitional moment for digital tech and youth online safety, the new book Behind Their Screens: What Teens Are Facing (and Adult Are Missing) feels almost miraculous to me. The first reason why is that it’s more about teens than screens. Since the beginning of public concern about youth online safety in the late 1990s, we have been almost obsessively focused on the technology, not so … [Read more...] about Why partner with teens on tech: Great new book