Stanford Internet Observatory’s Post

#UNODC Calls for Prioritizing #Children in #Online #Safety Initiatives "What can we do about #online #child #protection?  What measures should we take to ensure that the #cyberspace is a safe and protective environment for #children? 'It's never too late to take action, reassess our strategies, and focus on impactful solutions,” states Alexandra Martins, Leader of the UNODC's End Violence Against Children (ENDVAC) team as she opens a discussion on the critical need for proactive measures to empower and protect children in the online sphere. #AIMCnews #ParentalitéNumerique #DigitalParenting #OnlineChildSafety #InternetDangers #tech

The US Senate has passed the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act #KOSPA, the 1st significant online child safety bill in decades.🎉 This is a huge step towards ensuring children are #SafeOnline. Now we wait on the House to #BeBrave and take action. Together we can and must #EndChildhoodSexualViolence Learn more👉 bit.ly/4dmAxd3

🚨𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐒🇺🇸 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥: 🧒🏼 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘒𝘪𝘥𝘴 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘚𝘢𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘺 𝘈𝘤𝘵 (𝘒𝘖𝘚𝘈) 𝘢𝘯𝘥 👦🏾 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘴’ 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘵 (𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘊𝘖𝘗𝘗𝘈 2.0) ‼️ 🚨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘫𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘵 𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘴 ⬇️See more here ⬇️

Regulations to protect children online could reduce harms like eating disorders and sexual exploitation, but they could also create more privacy concerns and prevent children from accessing resources. Researchers from UNC's The Center for Information, Technology, & Public Life and partner organizations developed a comprehensive primer that delves into these legislative measures, examining their potential impacts and implications. It's a valuable resource for academics, activists, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of child online safety legislation. Find it online at https://lnkd.in/d76rUU4U

KOSA: A Critical Step Toward Protecting Our Children As someone deeply invested in the mental health and well-being of future generations, I want to take a moment to encourage my network to support the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). This bipartisan legislation is an essential tool to ensure the digital platforms shaping our children’s lives prioritize their safety, mental health, and development. Here is why KOSA matters: 1. Accountability for Big Tech: KOSA places the onus on tech companies to mitigate risks like harmful algorithms, online predators, and exposure to inappropriate content. It’s time to ensure profits don’t come at the expense of our children’s safety. 2. Empowering Parents: The bill provides tools and transparency for parents, giving them the ability to make informed decisions about their children’s online activities. 3. Prioritizing Mental Health: With rising rates of anxiety, depression, and cyberbullying among young users, KOSA emphasizes the need for digital spaces that support—not harm—mental health. 4. Balancing Freedom and Protection: KOSA strikes a balance by safeguarding kids while preserving a digital environment where creativity and innovation can thrive responsibly. We are at a critical juncture where action is required to protect children in the digital age. This legislation is not about stifling innovation; it’s about putting guardrails in place to ensure the well-being of our youth. Let’s stand together in supporting a future where technology serves as a tool for growth, not harm. Contact your representatives and encourage them to back KOSA today and sign the petition here (https://lnkd.in/gxex6T3S) #ChildSafety #MentalHealthMatters #KOSA #DigitalWellness #ProtectOurYouth

Breaking: Senate Passes Landmark Online Child Safety Bills After 25+ years of legislative stagnation, we're finally seeing progress in protecting our children online. The Kids Online Safety Act and Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act have just cleared the Senate with overwhelming support. Both bills are now heading to the House and presidential support has been secured. Will opposition from the tech industry, its lobbyists and digital rights groups hold it up? The House now has a critical opportunity to prioritize children's well-being over corporate interests. For too long, tech companies have profited from congressional inaction. It's time to modernize our country’s approach to online safety. Kids deserve better. https://lnkd.in/ekAdUjVM +++

Understanding the Juvenile Justice Act and Its Role in Protecting Children in the Cyber Age 💭 💻 In today's digital era, children are increasingly exposed to the internet, making them vulnerable to various online threats. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act (JJ Act) plays a crucial role in safeguarding children in this cyber age. Here’s how: Comprehensive Framework: The JJ Act provides a robust framework for the care, protection, and rehabilitation of children, ensuring their rights are upheld in all circumstances, including online. Protection from Cyberbullying: The Act addresses issues like cyberbullying by recognizing it as a form of abuse. It ensures that children are protected from any online harassment or bullying that can have severe psychological impacts. Preventing Online Exploitation: With provisions to combat online exploitation, the JJ Act safeguards children from predators who may attempt to exploit them through various digital platforms. Counseling and Rehabilitation: The Act emphasizes the importance of counseling and rehabilitation for children who have been victims of cybercrimes, ensuring they receive the necessary psychological support and guidance. Legal Recourse and Assistance: The JJ Act provides a clear legal pathway for children and their guardians to seek justice in cases of cybercrimes. It ensures that perpetrators are held accountable while offering protection and support to the victims. Educational Initiatives: Under the JJ Act, there are provisions for educating children, parents, and educators about the safe use of the internet. This helps in building a safer online environment for children. Collaborative Efforts: The Act promotes collaboration between various stakeholders, including law enforcement, child welfare committees, and cyber experts, to create a comprehensive safety net for children online. In conclusion, the Juvenile Justice Act is a critical tool in the fight to protect children from the unique challenges posed by the digital age. By addressing the risks associated with cyberbullying, online exploitation, and providing robust support systems, the JJ Act ensures a safer online environment for our children. #JuvenileJustice #ChildProtection #CyberSafety #LegalInsights #LawStudent #CyberLaw #ChildRights #DigitalSafety

My latest Substack addresses the need to have protections for #seniorcitizens online. Platforms dedicate a huge amount of time and energy to protecting children--as they should--but largely ignore the safety of our parents and grandparents. Let's change that. #responsibletech #socialmedia #tech4good #safetybydesign https://lnkd.in/eNDf8khA

For the last three years, Cybersafe Scotland has been working with more than 1,300 children to understand their online experiences and to find a way to uphold their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. They found that: - Children have little confidence in the effectiveness of reporting, particularly in a digital sphere where the aggressor can make multiple accounts at a faster rate than they can be taken down. - Children feel responsible for harms and abuse online, meaning we must all work to reduce shame around reporting any incident they experience. Read more: https://lnkd.in/enVjgJWR

Is the Government Doing Enough to Protect Our Children Online? 📢 The UK Government has responded to a crucial petition calling for greater parental access to children's social media accounts, reinforcing their commitment to online safety. The Online Safety Act 2023 is a step forward. It enables Ofcom to request information from social media companies about a deceased child's online activity and ensures transparency in data policies. Organisations like Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity are leading the charge in child protection, complementing these legislative efforts. However, is the government doing enough to safeguard our children? As an advocate for reducing male suicide, I am deeply concerned about the rising number of suicides among young people. I'm not sure this Act goes far enough to address these critical issues. Parents are concerned about: 🔹 Exposure to harmful content 🔹 Cyberbullying 🔹 Privacy breaches Here are some steps the government could take to support young people better online: - Implement Stricter Regulations on Harmful Content - Increase Funding for Mental Health Resources - Promote Digital Literacy Programs in Schools - Foster Partnerships with Tech Companies - Support Research and Innovation - Create Safe Online Spaces - Public Awareness Campaigns With over 100,000 signatures, this petition underscores significant public concern and will be considered for parliamentary debate. The government continues to collaborate with Ofcom and bereaved parents to effectively balance child safety and privacy. What do you think about this? #OnlineSafety #ChildProtection #ParentalRights #UKGovernment #RippleEffect #MentalHealthMatters