This may not be the Internet safety look-back on 2018 you’d expect, what with all the news about data breaches, “fake news,” “tech addiction,” algorithmic bias, election manipulation, hate speech, etc., etc. Not a pretty picture. But it’s also not the whole picture. By definition, the news reports airline crashes, not safe landings. Even if 2018 was truly unique, though, with bad news the … [Read more...] about Digital safety, wellbeing: 2018 highlights (Part 1)
Research
Tweens are smart about smartphones: Study
Everything about this study is smart — the 10-14 year-old respondents (average age 11), what the authors are modeling for pediatricians and parents, and the tweens' answers. For example, when asked what age kids should be given mobile phones, one answer was: "It's not an age. I think it's more of a maturity thing," said one young respondent. Another's answer was, "Probably when they know … [Read more...] about Tweens are smart about smartphones: Study
For this Bullying Prevention Month, a bit of clarity
The Pew Research Center just published a surprisingly high figure under a headline referring to "cyberbullying." The authors report that 59% of US 13-17 year-olds had experienced some form of it. But it's important to zoom in on the "some form of" part. Pew's researchers asked their respondents which of six forms of abusive behavior they had experienced online (the 59% was the number for teens … [Read more...] about For this Bullying Prevention Month, a bit of clarity
How youth address mental health issues: Groundbreaking study
Young people are both smart and thoughtful about using digital media and devices – for mental health and other purposes – a groundbreaking new study shows, and they are far from naïve about what doesn't work for them in social media. The study, by researchers Victoria Rideout and Susannah Fox, had both quantitative and qualitative elements, including a remarkable 2,200 personal responses from its … [Read more...] about How youth address mental health issues: Groundbreaking study
Signs of serious progress for digital citizenship
THIS JUST IN: In a historic development for the Internet and its users under 18, the Council of Europe today adopted a Recommendation – a comprehensive set of guidelines to European Union member states – for upholding children's rights in digital environments, their rights as digital citizens. "How to better protect and empower children as rights-holders... is at the core of the new … [Read more...] about Signs of serious progress for digital citizenship