FOSI Briefs the States: A Golden Opportunity for Online Safety
Overview
California remains the state to watch as a leader in online safety policy. From being the first state to pass the Age Appropriate Design Code (AADC) and the privacy-preserving Delete Act, to the introduction of a bill to address chronological versus algorithmic feeds for minors, California continues to pave the way in regulating online safety and privacy.
In September 2022, when California passed the AADC, the law received both praise and critique from leaders in the tech industry. With increased attention to kids’ online safety, this law has been suggested as a potential path forward. However, with criticism from some tech policy advocates and lawsuits from trade associations, the law faces an uphill battle towards implementation. All of this and more will be discussed at FOSI Briefs the States: A Golden Opportunity for Online Safety.
On May 8, 2024, FOSI hosted their first California state policy event in Sacramento, California. Tami Bhaumik, the VP of Civility and Partnerships at Roblox & FOSI Board Chair, provided opening remarks. California Assemblymember Josh Hoover provided a keynote address. FOSI’s Policy Specialist, Marissa Edmund, moderated a panel discussion featuring:
- Larry Magid, ConnectSafely.org
- Nichole Rocha, Rocha Public Affairs
- Matt Soeth, All Tech Is Human
A full recording of the event will be available on the FOSI YouTube page in the coming days.
This was a widely attended event, free and open to the public and press.
Speakers
Tami Bhaumik
Tami Bhaumik is the Vice President of Civility and Partnerships at Roblox where she spearheads the platform's digital civility initiative and works to foster a global community of internet safety leaders to ensure good digital citizenship on Roblox. To establish a healthy and safe community, Tami is focused on providing kids, teens, parents, and caregivers with skills needed to create positive online experiences, in partnership with the world's leading safety and industry organizations. At Roblox, she empowers platform users to self-govern and create a confident, resilient online community with the knowledge and tools to create positive experiences for themselves and others in the metaverse.
Marissa Edmund
Marissa Edmund is the Policy Specialist at the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), working with the policy team to monitor emerging issues in tech policy and contribute her policy and research expertise to ensure the online world is safer for children and families. Prior to joining FOSI, Marissa spent two years at the Center for American Progress as the Sr. Policy Analyst for Gun Violence Prevention focusing heavily on gender-based and domestic violence. Before that, Marissa was the Policy Coordinator at the National Network to End Domestic Violence where she was able to actualize her passion for family safety by conducting research, engaging membership, and educating lawmakers on ways to support survivors of domestic violence. Marissa holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).
Assemblymember Josh Hoover
Larry Magid
Larry Magid is a technology journalist and an Internet safety advocate. He is CEO and co-founder of ConnectSafely.org and an on-air technology analyst for CBS News.His technology reports can be heard daily on CBS News and CBS affiliates throughout the U.S. and he has a daily tech segment on KCBS radio in San Francisco. He writes a syndicated column for the San Jose Mercury News and blogs for Forbes and Huffington Post.
Nichole Rocha
Nichole is the principal at Rocha Public Affairs. She brings with her extensive knowledge of the legislative process and technology policy. Most recently as the Head of 5Rights US, Nichole helped secure the unanimous passage of the Age Appropriate Design Code in two states. Prior to that she served as Chief Consultant to the California Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee and as Counsel to the California Senate Judiciary Committee. Nichole received her Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley and her Juris Doctor from UC Davis.
Matt Soeth
Matthew Soeth is Head of Trust and Safety and Global Affairs. Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to All Tech Is Human. With over 10 years of experience working in online safety, Matt has worked on the ground in schools, at platforms, and at nonprofits advising and developing policy, tooling, and safety resources for global audiences. In addition, Matt is a respected leader in the field of Trust & Safety who has helped build a more cohesive field and helped open up pathways for new voices to enter the fray. Matt spent the past two years as Head of Trust and Safety at Spectrum Labs supporting gaming, dating and social platforms with their policy, tooling, workflows, and outreach. Matt also served as head of community for the #TSCollective where he helped to grow a community of online trust and safety professionals across the globe. Matt was also an active part of Atlantic Council's recent Task Force for a Trustworthy Future Web, speaking at their Washington, DC launch event for its related report, Scaling Trust on the Web.Agenda
1:30pm – 2:00pm – Registration
2:00pm – 2:05pm – Opening remarks
- Tami Bhaumik, Roblox (FOSI Board Chair)
2:05pm – 3:15pm: Panel Discussion + Q&A
featuring remarks from California Assemblymember Josh Hoover (7th District)
- Holly Grosshans, Common Sense Media
- Larry Magid, ConnectSafely.org
- Nichole Rocha, Rocha Public Affairs
- Matt Soeth, All Tech Is Human
- Marissa Edmund, FOSI (Moderator)
3:15pm – 4:00pm: Networking reception
Note: all times listed are local to Sacramento, California (PDT).