The ConnectSafely Report with Larry Magid

.Larry Magid speaks with ConnectSafely Education Director Kerry Gallagher about considerations for a child's first device. "They don't need all of the features at once right away. They don't need necessarily the ability to write e-mail, the ability to get on social media, the ability to watch YouTube, the ability to do research

A high percentage of Americans say they often get scam emails, texts or phone calls and many have lost money to them, according to Pew Resarch

As kids go back to school, parents and caregivers need to understand school tech policies, review some basic safety tips and know that kids are likely to use generative AI.

You can now share your location on Instagram which can be fun but can also be dangerous. Make sure you or your teen know the risks and how to avoid them.

Seventy-two percent of teens have tried AI companions, and over half (52%) use them regularly—interacting with them at least a few times a month. But there is good news about how they use these services

The United Kingdom is now fully enforcing its Online Safety Act, which was passed by Parliament in 2023. The law, which calls for shielding all users from illegal content with special protections for children including the use of age assurance tools. Some US states have enacted laws with similar goals and the US Senate has passed the less ambitious Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which has not yet...

Recent research from the Cyberbullying Research Center shows that cyberbullying is on the rise

If a child or teen in your life is impacted by an online scam, don't blame the victim. Let them know you have their back.

The American Psychological Association has recommendations regarding the impact of AI on adolescent well-being.

Teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night but most aren't getting it. ConnectSafely's education director has suggestions

The UN's Internet Governance Forum shined an international spotlight on AI regulation. Some argued for strict rules while others warned against overregulation. Some regulations do make sense but not if they try to micromanage the technology.

Make sure you’ve buttoned down your privacy on social media apps and sites.

Sharing you location via your phone can be very helpful, but there are also some risks.

Discuss AI chatbots with your kids. It may seem obvious that they’re not human, but it’s easy to subconsciously treat them as if they are.

Parental controls, including the ones that come standard on phones and PCs, can be useful, but they can’t replace regular conversations with your kids.

Using a good password manager can enable you to use unique and strong passwords for each of your sites and apps.

Are your apps listening to your conversations? Probably not, but they have other ways to know a lot about you.

Red flags to watch out for to prevent falling for an AI scam.

ConnectSafely education director Kerry Gallagher shares tips on how parents can help their teens (and themselves) take much-needed short tech breaks.

Apple is rolling out new tools to help parents keep their kids safe online. With this fall’s software update, parents will get more control over their child’s or teen’s use of an iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

There's a new law that makes non-consensual sharing of intimate images a federal crime, but it won't eliminate the crime. You still need to know what to do if you're a victim. 

The "One Big Beautiful" budget bill has a clause that would remove states' ability to enact or enforce AI regulations. 

ConnectSafely Education Director Kerry Gallagher reports on some fascinating research on the relationship between where students put their phones and how well they do on tests

A study from the Family Online Safety Institute finds that  89% of kids say they feel comfortable turning to their parents if something online makes them feel unsafe. And 83% of parents agree. Less than half of parents use parental controls on devices like phones, tablet and laptops, even though those who do report lower screen time and greater peace of mind.

Listening to music can enhance your happiness, creativity and productivity but not while you're trying to concentrate