From parent and school restrictions on smartphone use to the design of the latest AI tools, what does it mean to center children’s own perspectives and rights in ensuring safety in their online worlds? On this episode of Screen Deep, host Kris Perry sits down with Sonia Livingstone, Professor at the London School of Economics and leader of the Digital Futures for Children centre and the Five Rights Foundation, to explore the intersection of children’s rights, parental mediation, and public policy in the digital world. Drawing on her research and policy work, Dr. Livingstone describes how parents can best help mitigate online risks, and how policies should help protect children from harmful online content and mechanisms while reinforcing their rights to privacy and autonomy. Dr. Livingstone emphasizes the importance of talking to children to learn how they feel about various technologies and incorporating their insightful perspectives into both household rules and macro-level policy.

In this episode, you will learn:

What children themselves say about the kinds of support they need from parents and communities.
Research results on the most effective parenting strategies for keeping children safe online
How income, access, and background shape online safety risks.
How the new AI Design Code could help developers prioritize children’s safety in in design.
Why addressing harmful algorithms through regulation of online platforms is key to increasing child online safety.
What the latest research says about the effectiveness of school phone bans and their impact on learning and child well-being.

For more resources and research on this topic visit the Learn and Explore section of the Children and Screens website (https://www.childrenandscreens.org)

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Music: 'Life in Silico' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Trish Favreau

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