The ConnectSafely Report with Larry Magid

Data brokers know a lot about you and aren't shy about sharing that info with the paying public (and even for free). But there are ways to get your information out of their systems.

Only parents can decide when it's time for children to go online but, when it is time, parents should help  them develop the skills they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

A new report shows that more than 60% of online teens have used AI chatbots, which exposes them to risks

Thanks to AI, scammers are getting smarter, faster and more convincing

There is nothing new about scam calls, but AI has made them more convincing and harder to detect.

Uber now has a program for seniors who need help arranging rides.

Even if your child is as young as 9 and doesn't have a device, it's not too early to talk about online safety.

Be very careful before making non cancelable reservations or transactions. You may not be able to get your money back if you make a mistake.

Teens are using Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok in different ways but research finds that most teens self-report that it has no positive or negative impact on mental health though there are issues regarding bullying and harassment.

Online gambling is for adults only but an increasing number of kids are doing it. ConnectSafely Educatin Director Kerry Gallagher advises parents on conversations they can have with their teens,

There needs to be a balance between helping parents protect their kids and avoiding overly complex parental control tools.

Young people are starting to push back against Big Tech.

A 2026 study published in Social Science & Medicine found that boys and men in the U.S. and Canada who frequently engaged with fitness-focused social media were significantly more likely to report intentions to use steroids. 

AI systems may act like humans but they aren’t people nor are they databases filled with verified information. They’re software designed to generate humanlike responses by predicting likely word patterns based on vast amounts of data. And that can be a problem.

A report from Sesame Workshop's Joan Ganz Cooney Center finds that parents are on a "tech family cycle" that can be exhausting. Larry Magid speaks with its author, Amanda Lenhart

AI generated influencers can lead to teens spending  money and experiencing low self-esteem

AI has entered the lives of most teens but teens and parents have different attitudes towards its impact.

Even though there are a lot of scams, some offers are legitimate. It may be OK to send money, but only after you do some research.

The jury verdicts against Meta and Google show that social media can harm teens, but unlike dangerous substances, social media involves protected speech

New research shows that teen sexting is on the rise. What parents can do.

Uber has introduced teen accounts that give teens some independence while keeping parents informed and in control

A pair of jury verdicts is holding Meta and Google responsible for harms to children, but -- despite risks -- social media isn't all bad. Many young people benefit from it. 

While social media remains popular among youth, we're starting to see some pushback.

People worry about storing their information online but Google Drive users encryption that's similar to what banks and health organizations use to protect their data.

Although misinformation isn’t nearly as horrific as the loss of human life, it’s nevertheless harmful. It can inflame tensions, be used as propaganda and erode trust in legitimate news. In some cases, it can put people in danger if it causes them to make and act on dangerous decisions.