On February 12, 2025, FOSI partnered with Thorn for a powerful discussion on online safety in recognition of Safer Internet Day. This webinar explored key risks facing children online, including harassment, abuse, sextortion, and CSAM, while providing caregivers and educators with actionable strategies to protect young users.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Sean O'Grady, head of Trust and Safety at Pocket Worlds. It has been edited for length and clarity.
With new dynamics emerging between Silicon Valley and Washington, some advocates for stronger social media regulations and parents are concerned their cause will get lost in the dust despite past momentum.
Big tech companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon are going after Maryland's newest online child safety law. ”
Since 2013, ConnectSafely, has been the official U.S. coordinator for Safer Internet Day, following an agreement between the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to officially include the U.S. in what is now a global event celebrated in more than 100 countries. This is an important time to focus on internet safety. […]
Australia’s consumers view the proposed social media age ban as the tech-policy equivalent of slapping duct tape on a leaky dam. The latest paper from the team charged with determining the best way to implement the technology behind the bipartisan policy reveals that while Australians are all for the principle, they’re less convinced about the […]
On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, the US Senate Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing titled “Children’s Safety in the Digital Era: Strengthening Protections and Addressing Legal Gaps.” The hearing focused on the growing dangers children face online, particularly child sexual exploitation and other online harms, highlighting the failure of Big Tech to implement adequate […]
WASHINGTON, DC, February 27, 2025 ”” Today, the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) welcomes 1Password as its newest member, furthering a shared commitment to advancing online safety and security. As part of FOSI’s community of online safety leaders, 1Password, a leader in identity security, strengthens a collective effort to promote responsible online practices, digital literacy, and strong security habits for families. Together, FOSI and 1Password aim to provide parents, caregivers, and organizations with the knowledge needed to foster a safer, more empowering digital experience for all.
The FOSI 2023 Annual Conference: New Frontiers in Online Safety was held in-person on Monday, November 13, at the InterContinental Washington D.C. - The Wharf. FOSI's Annual Conference is the premier online safety event of the year, and we hosted robust discussions around safety in our ever-changing digital world. Top experts debated on topics such as content moderation, privacy policies and practices, digital wellbeing, and more. We delved into the latest research around critical issues such as AI, and practical approaches to ethics, safety, and parenting in the online space.
As part of its ongoing Online Safety Education Initiative, FOSI's roundtable was held at the Googleplex, Mountain View, California. Entitled 'Searching for Online Safety Solutions', it attracted over forty participants. With opening remarks from Anne Collier of Net Family News (a participant in the PBS FRONTLINE Growing Up Online documentary) and hosted by Stephen Balkam, […]
