US getting started with the very global Safer Internet Day

Although still not widely recognized in the US, Safer Internet Day is nevertheless “official” now, with participation from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Education (DOE). Though marked by Net users in schools, nonprofit...

The new, revised COPPA

The FTC’s aim is to sync a 1998 law up with current media and technology but it won’t be effective until COPPA’s also synced up with the regulatory conditions they create. By Anne Collier The US Federal Trade Commission’s revisions to the COPPA Rule announced...

Sign a family contract for online safety and smart use of technology

by Larry Magid   Several years ago, my site SafeKids.com, developed a Family Contract for Online Safety and every few months I make sure it’s up-to-date. The idea of a contract, or series of pledges, is to get everyone in the family on board as to what it means...

Tracking kids’ cellphones: Reassurance or overparenting?

Thanks to my ConnectSafely.org co-director Anne Collier for her thoughtful post about cell phone tracking that concludes “most parents don’t really need software to parent.”  I of course agree. What she said about tracking apps, tracks (no pun intended) what...

From 'Born This Way' to Move This Way: A new foundation

A view from the launch of what Lady Gaga aims to be a movement to empower youth and fuel kindness By Anne Collier Surrounded by some of the best thinkers and researchers in the bullying prevention, social media, and youth empowerment fields, Wednesday (2/29) I got to...