Family Online Safety Institute

19 December 2012

The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) released today their final amendments to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA). 

"We must be careful not to sacrifice the robust production of online learning tools for kids, parents and teachers in exchange for minimal online safety improvements. We are pleased to see some moderation on the part of the FTC from the initial proposals earlier this year, but we are concerned that the FTC created too much of a regulatory burden through these expanded rules, and people will simply not create content for kids. We don’t want to sacrifice the great potential of amazing interactive online tools for marginal improvements in privacy protections."

- Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI

To view the FTC's press release, click here.

To view the full COPPA rule, click here.

19 December 2012
 

COPPA Updates Show an FTC Focused on Mobile Privacy

The new rules forbids developers of children's apps from collecting their information through third-party apps or plugins without their parent's approval -- a rule which Stephen Balkam, CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute, said is likely to keep third-party developers away from interacting with children at all . Read the full article here.

19 December 2012

Parental Denial a Universal Affliction 

Another recent study by the Family Online Safety Institute revealed wide gaps between parental perceptions of their teen's online usage and the teen's own perceptions. Read the full article here.

29 November 2012

Good Morning New Zealand interviews Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI

To watch the full interview, click here.

26 November 2012

Parents Told to Take Charge Online

Many parents are spying on their kids - but US expert warns against overreaction. Do it early and without fear - that's the advice an internet safety expert (Stephen Balkam) has for parents worried about how and when they should address concerns about their children's online activity. Read the full article here.

14 November 2012

Teens and Venture Investors Demand Online Safety & Privacy

A new study from the Family Online Safety Institute, a nonprofit on a mission to “make the online world safe for kids and families,” found that teens are not only more connected than ever, increasingly using mobile devices and social networks, but they understand privacy and safety issues in a way that previous generations didn’t. Read the full article here.

14 November 2012

For Kids and Parents, There's a Digital Generation Gap, But Maybe That's OK

A newly released study (The Online Generation Gap: Contrasting attitudes and behaviors of parents and teens) conducted by Hart Research Associates for the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) found a “generation gap” between what parents think they know about their kids online behavior and what the kids think their parents know. Read the full article here.

14 November 2012
 

Mind the Online Generation Gap

When it comes to protecting their kids' safety online, parents and teens are at odds about the measures parents say they take. Read the full article here.

14 November 2012
 

Generation Gap Extends to Perceptions About Teens' Online Behavior

Rapid changes in technology may point to an even larger generation gap between today’s teens and their parents. Read the full article here.

21 October 2012

Angie Goff of Washington's NBC4 Highlights FOSI's A Platform for Good

Watch the video from the broadcast here.

26 September 2012
 

Not All Screen Time Is Equal

FOSI's A Platform For Good's intent is to help parents connect with their kids online and steer them toward worthy efforts. Read the full article here.

13 September 2012

A Platform for Good Aims to Do Battle with Evil

In a major effort aimed at improving the overall image of the web, the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) has teamed up with internet giants including Microsoft, Google and Facebook to bring us A Platform for Good. Read the full article here.

13 September 2012

Facebook and Google Help Launch Online Safety Platform For Teens.

Non-profit organization Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) partnered with nine tech companies including Facebook, Microsoft and Google to build A Platform for Good. Read the full article here.

12 September 2012

A Platform for Good Helps Parents and Teens Connect, Share and Do Good

New Online Platform Highlights the Positive Power of the Internet. Read the full article here.

26 July 2012

Safety and etiquette of posting kids' photos online

Stephen Balkam addresses the realities and etiquette of parents sharing photos of children online. Read the full article here.

18 July 2012

Digital Teens and the Three T's

Stephen Balkam  analyzes the time spent by teens on texting, Twitter and Tumblr. Read the full article here.

17 June 2012

Verifying Ages Online Is a Daunting Task, Even for Experts

Stephen Balkam comments on age verification practices. Read the full article here.

13 June 2012

Mobile flirting site Skout suspends service for teens after sex assaults

Stephen Balkam is referenced in this article regarding the responsibilities of social network startups. Read the full article here.

08 June 2012

How to Help Your Tween Use Facebook, Safely

Stephen Balkam in discussion on NPR's Talk of the Nation. Listen to the full interview here.

08 June 2012

Coverage from Stephen Balkam's CNN interview regarding under 13s on Facebook was widespread, including here at Good Day Oregon. 

08 June 2012

Tweens on Facebook: There's much to like

An opinion piece from Stephen Balkam on the implications of allowing under 13s on Facebook. Read the full article here.

07 June 2012

How to protect your kids on Facebook

Stephen Balkam offers his views in this interview on the issues of underaged kids and social media and how parents can help protect their children. Read the full article here.

07 June 2012

Facebook Advisers Propose Ways to Allow Tweens on the Site Officially

Stephen Balkam quoted in this article. Read the full article here.

05 June 2012

Kids Could Someday Get on Facebook, Without Lying

Stephen Balkam is interviewed about his views on the under-13 restriction on Facebook. Read the full article here.

06 June 2012

Family advocates worry as Facebook looks to allow access for children.

Stephen Balkam quoted in this article. Read the full article here.

20 April 2012

We're All In Against Bullying

FOSI's initiative "A Platform for Good" gets a mention in this article about the launch of a safety campaign in public schools. Read the full article here.

09 April 2012

ParentTech.org

Making It Official: Family Online Safety Contracts

This parent blog links to FOSI's Family Safety Contract in their discussion about supervising responsible media use. Read the full article here.

04 April 2012

How Can Brands Help Kids and Families Navigate the Digital Revolution?

Stephen Balkam is quoted in this exploration of the growing and changing market of technology ariimed at children. Read the full article here.

22 March 2012

Why Parents Should Educate Their Kids About Tech

CNN contributor Scott Steinberg incorporates thoughts from Stephen Balkam and the FOSI/Pew study in his article exploring digital education. Read the full article here.

21 March 2012

Harvesting the Fruits of a Tech Revolution

A reflection on FOSI's Middle East conference conducted in partnership with ictQATAR. Read the full article here.

16 February 2012

Safety Report: Teen Tracking Devices

A report on GPS tracking devices for teenagers uses statistics from FOSI research. Read the full article here.

14 February 2012

Dad Shoots Daughter's Laptop, Misses an Opportunity

Stephen Balkam's take on YouTube's latest viral video and the message it sends. Read the full article here.

14 January 2012

Software keeps dogged watch over kids' cellphone activity

FOSI's Parental Controls Usage survey is referenced in an exploration of how parents are using software to monitor their children's use of mobile devices. Read the full article here.