Spotting Red Flags: Recognizing Online Abuse and Harassment, a Safer Internet Day Event

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).

‍

Alanna is the Research & Program Specialist for the Family Online Safety Institute. She leads FOSI's Good Digital Parenting programming and research projects, and supports FOSI's communications efforts. Her prior experiences focused on both media and education. Alanna has taught English and communications courses at both the high school and college level, and concentrated on the subject of media literacy education during her master’s program.

Alanna has a master’s degree in media studies from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She also holds undergraduate degrees in both Public Relations and English from Penn State University, and is a Fulbright alumna.

‍

Melissa Stroebel is the Vice President of Research & Insights at Thorn, where she serves as a subject matter expert and drives strategic research examining emerging threats and trends in online sexual exploitation. Before joining Thorn in 2017, Melissa worked for nearly a decade with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children as a victim identification analyst, product manager, and researcher. Melissa graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in history and from George Washington University with a master’s degree in forensic science.

Adele Ann Taylor is a passionate advocate for youth safety online as the Youth Digital Programs and Partnerships Senior Manager at Thorn, a nonprofit combatting online child sexual abuse. Leading the NoFiltr initiative, she empowers young individuals to navigate the online world safely, fostering collaborations between youth and tech platforms. Adele holds a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College and a Masters in International Peace Studies from Trinity College, Dublin. Beyond Thorn, she founded Adele’s Literacy Library, promoting global literacy, and serves as a board member for The Gem Project, advocating for educational opportunities for youth. Embracing her love for books during global travels, Adele lives by the motto: "Be the change you want to see in the world