On Halloween, I was chatting with friend and colleague, Molly McGinn (award-winning journalist, child development expert, and tech writer for Verizon's Parenting in a Digital World). Spoiler alert: the Verizon Family App has some seriously cool new features.
Molly and I talked about how scary this year is. Not because of Halloween, but because of misinformation, disinformation, and trying to sort out ways to reach digital families and truly bring impact.
As we chatted with each other about what is important and our missions in child online safety and protection, a theme emerged, which I will simplify below:
Talk to other parents. Talk to your colleagues. Talk to your children. TALK.
T - Teachable moments are everywhere. Seize upon them to learn something new.
A - Assess feelings. Help your children (or other parents or your colleagues) understand what they are feeling and how to build resilience.
L - Listen to what the other person is saying. Before weighing in with your thoughts, truly listen and appreciate their perspective.
K - Kindness can never be overrated. In the classroom, schoolyard, company hallway, chat or comment, show kindness and empathy.
As you head to the FOSI conference in December, be sure to connect with other participants to learn and inspire each other. TALK while you are at the conference, TALK when you get back home, TALK when you are back in the office.
You have got this.
Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov is the founder of Digital Parenting Coach.com, a resource for parents and caregivers.
As a lawyer, law professor and child online protection expert with more than 20 years experience, she has advised government and child protection agencies, non-profits and think tanks on public awareness campaigns, research initiatives and public policy strategies related to digital safety, parenting, and wellbeing.
She has also held several key consultancies in Europe for the Council of Europe (Children's Rights and Education divisions), Microsoft EMEA (Digital Safety), European Schoolnet (Online Safety), and e-Enfance/INSAFE (French Helpline).
She is an international speaker on digital parenting and her work has been featured in BBC, France 24, the Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and other media outlets focused on child online safety and digital parenting.
Currently, she is Senior Corporate Counsel at the LEGO GROUP, where she provides legal support on implementing and promoting digital child rights, safety, wellbeing and citizenship in parallel with responsible digital engagement with children.
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