Common Sense Media’s Post

Shout out to tech folks! In your work as Trust and Safety advocates, we know that you’re constantly looking to make your platforms safer and mitigate the potential harms technology poses for children. Our PoP – Protection through Online Participation – initiative would like to explore the positive effects of your platforms by documenting their use by children (anyone under the age of 18) and young people (under 24) to access safety and protection when they experience or feel at risk of harm, whether online or offline. This is NOT ABOUT ONLINE SAFETY, but about how online platforms are used to access safety, protection and support.   Even if they have caring adults in their lives, we know that children increasingly search for help online, including on your platforms, when they feel threatened by harm, such as in-person experiences like domestic violence, sexual violence, school-based bullying or even mental distress in general. Harm doesn’t need to be happening inside your platforms for children to use your platforms to access help, support, and protection. They could be experiencing offline in-person abuse, and they could turn to the Internet to look for help, support, safety and protection. When they find it, they connect with child helplines, services, counselors, and others. If we understand how to efficiently deliver the help and support children are searching for, we can make children safer, increase their sense of security and wellness and even save lives.    Please answer the PoP form to help us better understand and document how children and young people are using the Internet to access support, safety and protection. It should only take 10 to 15 minutes of your time to complete, but may help thousands of children in the future to access the help they need.    Our goal is to collect the views of technology companies and digital platforms being used by children. It focuses on what you have learned about children and young people using your platforms to access support, safety and protection when at risk of any form of harm. We will not ask you to disclose internal research or data, and you are not required to identify your name or company when responding to this form. If you wish to share good practices from your safety centers, there will be an option to do so at the end of the form. https://lnkd.in/e66BzxNQ

Proud to announce that on October 23rd at 1pm, Issue One will be sponsoring Safe Tech, Safe Kids: Confronting Social Media’s Harms to Youth — in partnership with 5Rights, Project Liberty, and our Council for Responsible Social Media Protecting children from online harms is one of the hottest issues on Capitol Hill, and rightfully so — we're in the midst of a nationwide youth epidemic of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. But Congress has yet to take action, and there are still so many pressing questions left to address. How will AI impact kids online safety, for better or worse? How has social media impacted schools, and what can we do to better support teachers? How does kids' online safety intersect with privacy and transparency regimes? We've got some great panels ready to answer these questions, featuring (in no particular order) Trisha Prabhu, Randi Weingarten, Ravi Iyer, Kristin Bride, Martina Larkin, Camille Carlton, Frank McCourt, Imran Ahmed, Lee Tilghman, Mitch Prinstein, Laura Marquez-Garrett, Arielle Geismar, Sydnie Collins, Linda Douglass, and more! Register here to tune in: https://lnkd.in/eMngdjtP

📢 Attention, friends! As responsible members of our digital community, let us take a moment to reflect on an important matter: protecting our children from abusive individuals on the internet. 🌐🚫 In a world where technology connects us all, it is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of our young ones. The Bible reminds us of the significance of safeguarding the vulnerable, especially our children. In Proverbs 22:6, it states, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it." This verse highlights the importance of nurturing and protecting our children from harmful influences. Just as we protect our children physically, it is equally vital to shield them from the dangers lurking in the digital realm. The internet can be a vast and sometimes treacherous place, where abusive and exploitative individuals seek to harm the innocent. We must remain vigilant and actively engage in their online activities to ensure their safety. Jesus himself emphasized the care we should provide for children when He said in Matthew 18:6, "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." This powerful message signifies the grave consequences that await those who harm children, both in the physical and virtual realms. So, let us unite in our resolve to protect our children from online abuse. Here are a few practical steps we can take: 1️⃣ Educate: Teach our children about the potential dangers they may encounter online, such as cyberbullying, grooming, and inappropriate content. Equip them with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to these threats. 2️⃣ Monitor: Keep a watchful eye on their online activities, guiding them towards responsible use and ensuring they interact with trusted individuals and platforms. 3️⃣ Communicate: Foster open and honest communication with our children, creating an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their online experiences and concerns. 4️⃣ Filter and Restrict: Utilize parental control software and internet filters to limit access to potentially harmful content and websites. Remember, protecting our children is a shared responsibility. Let us join hands, spread awareness, and empower one another to create a safer digital environment for our precious ones. Together, we can make a difference and ensure their innocence remains intact, both online and offline. 🙏❤️ Joe Evans #ProtectOurChildren Joe Evans #OnlineSafety #GuardianAngels Faith Ministry Evans Bible Study

As technology evolves, so does the landscape of online risks for children. That’s why Thorn created, Thorn for Parents and our youth-centered program NoFiltr.org to guide parents and empower youth. These initiatives aim to foster meaningful conversations around digital safety, prevent abuse, and build online communities rooted in understanding and support. Learn more about our resources to navigate online risks and how you can help prevent abuse. https://lnkd.in/grChFf3N

📢 Attention, friends! As responsible members of our digital community, let us take a moment to reflect on an important matter: protecting our children from abusive individuals on the internet. 🌐🚫 In a world where technology connects us all, it is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of our young ones. The Bible reminds us of the significance of safeguarding the vulnerable, especially our children. In Proverbs 22:6, it states, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it." This verse highlights the importance of nurturing and protecting our children from harmful influences. Just as we protect our children physically, it is equally vital to shield them from the dangers lurking in the digital realm. The internet can be a vast and sometimes treacherous place, where abusive and exploitative individuals seek to harm the innocent. We must remain vigilant and actively engage in their online activities to ensure their safety. Jesus himself emphasized the care we should provide for children when He said in Matthew 18:6, "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea." This powerful message signifies the grave consequences that await those who harm children, both in the physical and virtual realms. So, let us unite in our resolve to protect our children from online abuse. Here are a few practical steps we can take: 1️⃣ Educate: Teach our children about the potential dangers they may encounter online, such as cyberbullying, grooming, and inappropriate content. Equip them with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to these threats. 2️⃣ Monitor: Keep a watchful eye on their online activities, guiding them towards responsible use and ensuring they interact with trusted individuals and platforms. 3️⃣ Communicate: Foster open and honest communication with our children, creating an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their online experiences and concerns. 4️⃣ Filter and Restrict: Utilize parental control software and internet filters to limit access to potentially harmful content and websites. Remember, protecting our children is a shared responsibility. Let us join hands, spread awareness, and empower one another to create a safer digital environment for our precious ones. Together, we can make a difference and ensure their innocence remains intact, both online and offline. 🙏❤️ Joe Evans #ProtectOurChildren Joe Evans #OnlineSafety #GuardianAngels Faith Ministry Evans Bible Study

Curious about the Maryland Kids Code and how it sets itself apart from other Children's Codes? Check out our latest blog post to dive into the details! 🔍 https://hubs.li/Q02zJY5C0 #childrenscode #kidscode #MarylandKidsCode

Amidst the festive cheer, it's crucial to acknowledge that not all children have the privilege of a safe and secure environment. While we celebrate with our loved ones, let's remember those who are not as fortunate. The reality is that countless children are still facing unimaginable challenges, and their safety remains uncertain. The work is far from over. Though the internet offers many benefits and opportunities for children, there are also many risks to navigate. Online risks for children include exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online grooming by predators, and addiction to technology. Learn more about Protecting Children Online: The Importance of Content Moderation here: https://lnkd.in/g3AkGNix Wishing you a safe and joyful holiday season #ProtectOurChildren #ChildSafety

Policymakers can take steps to strengthen safety standards and limit access in ways that make social media safer for children of all ages, better protect children’s privacy, support digital and media literacy, and fund additional research. #services #treatment #community #Crisis

This could save a life. This simple hand sign can be used in any circumstance where you need help. If you are in public, like shopping, in a hotel or in a restaurant. It can be used by a 5 year old or your 89 year old grandmother. It may be seen as you are walking on the street or on a video call or through a window. It can be done up high to be seen in a crowd, close to your face, or behind your back. What does this hand sign stand for? Help me. I am in danger. I am being abused. I have been kidnapped. I want to get out of the place I am in. What do you do if you see this sign? If it can be done safely, try to separate the person from those who they are with. If they are on a video call, stop by for an unannounced visit if you are close by. Make up some excuse to get them out of the house. If they are in a community, like a nursing home or hospital, you need to talk to their power of attorney and healthcare agent. They will need to make the decision to move them. You may also contact an ombudsman and file a complaint. If they are a teen, this one is harder because teens don’t have any legal rights yet may not get the support from Child Protective Services or the police. If they are in school, notice should be given to the school administrators; but some schools maintain strict privacy guidelines, which is to the advantage of those causing abuse. Many schools have removed their community safety officers. Parents are the other obvious choice, however that can be difficult if you don’t know the family well. There may be abuse in the home. In many cases, teens will only do this hand sign with their peers or a complete stranger. This is a hand sign everyone should know as you may need to use it one day or to recognize it to help someone else.

Every 40 seconds, a child disappears in the United States, a staggering reality we can't ignore. Inspired by this urgent issue, our team at Amigos For Kids collaborated with Republica Havas to innovate in the realm of digital awareness campaigns with The Missing Review, a groundbreaking initiative for Child Abuse Prevention Month. Traditionally, missing children campaigns relied on flyers and milk carton images. But in the digital age, we knew we needed to adapt. So, we turned to Google and Yelp, transforming ordinary reviews into beacons of hope. By embedding missing children's information in reviews and comments for establishments near last seen locations, we aimed to ignite a nationwide movement of awareness. The response has been overwhelming and thus far has garnered over 13 million impressions on Google and Yelp alone. But it's not just about numbers; it's about impact. Business owners across the country have embraced and amplified our message, proving that community engagement is key in tackling such critical issues. The Missing Review isn't just a campaign; it's a catalyst for change. By harnessing the power of digital platforms, we're rewriting the narrative on raising awareness for missing children. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Univision Primer Impacto for shining a spotlight on this groundbreaking campaign. Join us in this dynamic and participatory approach to combat exploitation and bring missing children home. Together, we can make a difference. #TheMissingReview #ChildAbusePrevention Jorge Plasencia