News & Analysis
Resolutions for a Safe and Secure 2024
ConnectSafely CEO Larry Magid has advice on what you can do to have a safer and more secure 2024.
FBI Issues Warning About Sextortion After Arrest in Teen Death
The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) issued a joint national public safety alert on financial sextortion schemes.
What is Catfishing and Why It’s Dangerous
Catfishing can result in disappointment and broken hearts, but — as in the case in Riverside — it can also end in tragedy.
Meta, Ray-Ban Release Second-Generation Smart Glasses
I was riding my bicycle the other day taking pictures, talking on the phone and sending and receiving texts without ever taking my hands off the handle bars.
Ask Trish: What The Heck Just Happened At OpenAI?
“Hi Trish…I saw a bunch of stuff go down at OpenAI with Sam Altman. Can u explain what happened?”
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Despite Laws and FCC Rules, Robocalls Remain a Problem
Google the term “robocall,” and you’ll find an FCC webpage that begins, “Unwanted calls – including illegal and spoofed robocalls – are the FCC’s top consumer complaint and our top consumer protection priority.”
Social Media Can Contribute to Despair about War but also Provide Relief
Like many people, I’ve spent a lot of time in front of my phone, computer and TV, focused on the war in Ukraine. On some TV news programs, it’s literally the only subject covered, sometimes in minute detail.
How to Talk with Your Kids About War in Ukraine
How parents and other adults respond can have a big impact on how a young person handles the news coming out of Ukraine.
Russian Cyberattacks are Possible. Be Prepared But Not Panicked.
Although it’s very unlikely that average Americans will be directly targeted by a Russian cyberattack, it is quite possible to become an indirect victim of an attack against a company, health care organization or government agency we rely on.
Real-Time Location Sharing Can Enhance, Jeopardize Safety
Snapchat is the latest app to add real-time location sharing, which means you can use it to inform friends and family of your exact location even if the app is closed.
Metaverse: What’s the Risk?
You’ve probably heard the term “metaverse,” which is being embraced by numerous tech companies. The company formerly known as Facebook is so committed to the idea, that it’s renamed itself “Meta” to symbolize its deep dive into this new online world.
Generosity is Great, But Be Cautious When Giving to Charity
“Giving Tuesday,” which is now behind us, is really the start of the end-of-the-year holiday giving period. Unfortunately, this season of generosity also brings out online scammers.
Computing Has Gone Full Circle, and It’s Time to Go Back a Bit
My very first computer was a Cyber 70. I didn’t own it nor did I ever get within a few feet of it. It was a giant mainframe housed at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Graduate Research Center.
Facebook Not Alone in Embrace of ‘Metaverse’
As you’ve undoubtedly heard, Facebook has renamed itself Meta. Some people thought that was in response to the company’s recent troubles, but a company the size of Facebook doesn’t go through a major rebranding in a matter of weeks. It’s clearly been on the drawing board for months, if not longer.
New Research & Resources for Online Wellness
It’s been a big week when it comes to resources for promoting wellness and helping protect children online. with new resources from Google and Instagram and a study from Common Sense Media.
Protect Against Identify Theft
There are things you can do to reduce the chances of being a victim of identity theft, and if you are a victim, there are things you can do to recover.
Safe Online Dating During and After the Pandemic
When it comes to online dating safety, there is good advice that’s been around for years and new advice based on the pandemic.
Good and Not-So-Good News about Digital Civility
While adults showed some improvement, teens did significantly better than previous years.
Safer Internet 2021 Day Goes Online
Safer Internet Day is a global awareness-raising campaign that started in Europe in 2004 and is now celebrated in more than 100 countries.
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Helping Kids Survive Bullying and Other Trauma
ConnectSafley CEO Larry Magid and K-12 Education Director Kerry Gallagher talk about how adults can support youth who...
Helping Students Cope with Flood of Presidential Election News
The Presidential election campaign is heating up. And with it will come lots of claims, counterclaims and, likely, plenty of inaccuracies.
Facebook Strives to End Age, Gender and Location Discrimination
In response to litigation by the National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Communication Workers of America (CWA) and other parties, Facebook is making changes to its ad policy.
Vaccines, Autism and the First Amendment
The messy thing about our First Amendment is that it protects nearly all speech, not just pleasant speech or even accurate speech.
Online Romance Scam Losses on the Rise. How to Protect Yourself
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Federal Trade Commission published a post saying that in 2018, there were more than 21,000 reports “about romance scams with reported losses of $143 million,
Google Password Checkup Helps Make Sure You Have Secure and Unique Passwords
Weak or compromised passwords are among the biggest threats to online security and privacy. Once cyber criminals get hold of your password, they can not only use it to break into your account but sell it to other criminals
Youth from Around the World Set 16 Goals to Commemorate 16 Years of Safer Internet Day
More at SmarterInternet,org. Sign up for our mailing list. For the past several months, young people from 35...
How to Disable Facetime till Apple Fixes Serious Privacy Flaw
As you may have heard, there is a flaw on Apple Facetime for iOS and Mac that makes it possible for someone to listen in on what the microphone of another user hears even if that person hasn’t accepted the call.
Protecting Children from Inappropriate Content in the UK
We talk to John Carr about internet safety for kids in the UK and newly regulated laws to protect children from inappropriate content and the proper education methods to seek information.