FOSI 2026 Annual Conference
Overview
Join us for the FOSI 2026 Annual Conference: 20 Year Anniversary, a milestone event celebrating two decades of leadership in online safety under the theme, The Past, Present, and Future of Online Safety. The conference will bring together leaders from government, industry, academia, and civil society to reflect on two decades of progress and discuss what’s next for online safety.
This year’s agenda will explore a range of topics shaping the landscape including AI, age assurance, youth well-being, new research, legislation, and the partnerships that continue to drive progress across the field. Together, these conversations will examine how we can better support children and families in today’s evolving digital world.
Don’t miss this gathering dedicated to shaping the next chapter of online safety. Register now to secure your seat.
For attendees interested in booking accommodations, FOSI has secured a room block at the JW Marriott. Hotel reservations can be made here:
https://book.passkey.com/event/51257794/owner/559/home
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Agenda
8:00 – 8:50 AM | Registration, Networking Breakfast & Exhibits
8:50 – 9:00 AM | Keynote
9:00 – 9:10 AM | Opening Remarks
- Stephen Balkam, Founder and CEO, Family Online Safety Institute
9:10 – 9:30 AM | Growing Up with AI: How Teens Are Using and Understanding Chatbots
FOSI will present new research exploring how teens use AI chatbots, teens’ and parents’ perceived benefits and risks of using AI chatbots, and the parental controls or tools that would help them feel safer. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data from parents and teens 13-17, the presentation will highlight key findings and feature reflections from a youth speaker.
Speakers
- Sarah Bean, Director of Research and Programs, FOSI
- Alanna Powers-O’Brien, Research Specialist, FOSI
- Youth Participant from NoFiltr Youth Innovation Council
9:30 – 10:10 AM | Online Safety Across Borders: A Global Regulatory Perspective
Online safety regulation is taking shape differently around the world. Regulators from several countries will share how new frameworks are being put into practice, what they are learning from different approaches, where common ground is beginning to emerge, and the challenges that remain as online safety becomes an increasingly global issue.
Speakers
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- Arda Gerkens, President, ATKM, Netherlands
- Almudena Lara, Policy Director, Child Safety, Ofcom
- Jeremy Godfrey, Executive Chairperson, Coimisiún na Meán
- Additional speakers to be announced
10:10 – 10:40 AM | Industry Online Safety Innovations
10:55 – 11:45 AM | Morning Breakout Sessions
Breakout 1.1 | Industry Insights: Gaming
Speakers
- Ben Golant, Senior Director for Global Video Game Policy, Tencent Global
- Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO, SYBO
- Additional speakers to be announced.
Breakout 1.2 | Where Online Safety Research Goes NextÂ
This panel will focus on the state of online safety research in 2026, and the most important questions researchers are working to answer in the years to come, including about the role of AI in young people’s lives, technology bans, and what research tells us is needed to help young people be safe online.
- Speakers to be announced.
Breakout 1.3 | Digital Literacy for the World We Live In
Digital literacy is an essential skillset for people of all ages. What do we know about what is most effective, and how are organizations innovating to deliver digital literacy instruction in ways that meet the needs of today and tomorrow?
- Speakers to be announced.
Breakout 1.4 | Building Age-Appropriate Digital Experiences
As expectations for safer digital experiences continue to evolve, technology companies and online safety experts are exploring new approaches to age assurance, age-appropriate design, and other safeguards. This session will look at how these tools are developing and the questions that come with putting them into practice.
Speaker
- Holly Hawkins, Director of Youth Policy, Future of Privacy Forum
- Sarah Scheffler, Assistant professor, Carnegie Mellon University
- Additional speakers to be announced.
Breakout 1.5 | Reaching Parents Where They Are
Parents navigate a digital landscape that changes quickly, yet reaching them with useful, timely guidance remains a challenge for industry and civil society alike. FOSI will announce new parenting programming and bring together experts to discuss what it takes to connect with parents in 2026 and provide support that meets families’ evolving needs.
- Speakers to be announced.
12:00 – 1:00 PM | Networking Lunch
- Sponsored by Sony Interactive Entertainment
1:00 – 2:15 PM | Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Breakout 2.1 | Industry Insights
- Speakers to be announced.
Breakout 2.2 | Teens, Tech, and Mental Health
With technology at the heart of many teens’ lives, adults often feel concerned about the role of social media and AI chatbots in teens’ mental health. This session will focus on what research tells us about technology and mental health, and what we can do to better support today’s youth.
Speakers
- Lucy Thomas OAM, Founder and CEO, PROJECT ROCKIT
- Additional speakers to be announced.
Breakout 2.3 | Addressing Illegal Harms Online Coordinated Action to Stop Criminal Online Harms
Online platforms face an evolving range of illegal activity, from child sexual exploitation and abuse to other forms of criminal behavior. This session will bring together experts to discuss how these harms are changing, the challenges of identifying and responding to them, and where stronger collaboration is needed.
- Samantha Woolfe, Executive Director, INHOPE
- Tim Sparapani, Principal, SPQR Strategies
- Additional speakers to be announced.
Breakout 2.4 | Safer Play: Building Better Gaming Experiences
Video games are an increasingly important part of how young people play, socialize, and spend time online. This session will explore best practices for creating safer gaming experiences, including the tools, policies, and design choices that can help players engage and connect safely.
- Speakers to be announced.Â
Breakout 2.5 | The Policy Debate:Â Perspectives on Online Safety
This session will dive into timely policy approaches to online safety issues, bringing together different perspectives on the choices facing policymakers at state, national, and international levels today.
- Speakers to be announced.
2:15 – 3:30 PM | Industry Insights and Innovations Sessions
These sessions will look at how technology companies are approaching online safety, including current practices and tools, challenges, and new approaches to support users of all ages.
- Additional session details and speakers to be announced.
3:30 – 4:00 PM | Networking Break
4:00 – 4:40 PM | Industry Insights and Innovations Sessions
Following the networking break, the program will continue with a series of industry perspectives.
- Additional session details and speakers to be announced.
4:40 – 5:10 PM | Online Safety on Capitol Hill
Members of Congress will discuss current online safety priorities, the challenges of developing effective legislation, and what may come next.
- Speakers to be announced.
5:10 – 5:30 PM | Keynote
5:30 – 5:35 PM | Closing Remarks
Stephen Balkam, Founder and CEO, Family Online Safety Institute
5:35 – 7:30 PM | Evening Reception