The ConnectSafely Report with Larry Magid
Episodes
TikTok teen safety policies on par with competitors
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
TikTok is in the news because of a potential ban, but when it comes to teen safety, it's on par with its competitors.
Potential security dangers of public USB chargers and Bluetooth
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
ConnectSafely education director Kerry Gallagher on the dangers of hack attacks from plugging devices into public USB chargers or leaving your Blueto...
Neuralink technology has great potential but it's not without risks
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Neuralink technology already makes it possible to implant chips in the human brain to monitor or help patients use their brains to manipulate objects....
Will AI take over your job?
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
ConnectSafely blogger and youth advisor Trisha Prabhu says that it depends on the type of AI, the type of job and your timeline.
Some young people have a gambling problem
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
ConnectSafely education director Kerry Gallagher says that too many children and teens have an onlne gambling problem
Smartphone wellness settings
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Your and your children's smartphones can be intrusive but there are ways to turn off notifications and other interuptions, at least for a little while...
Dealing with stress from constant news reports
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our phones, along with TV and radio, can be an almost constant source of disturbing news, says psychologist and Emerson College professor Dr. Jessie Q...
Combatting online hate speech
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to hate speech, words can be harmful.
How to protect yourself against ransomeware
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Full backups and good computer hygene are your best defenses against ransomware.
The FCC investigating Amazon for selling cell phone jamming devices
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The FCC is investigating Amazon and other retailers for selling cell phone jamming devices, which can prevent calls to 9-1-1
Sharing personal info with Generative AI Systems
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Some people share intimate information with generative AI systems which is why we need assurances of anonymity and confidentiality
Fun ways to teach young kids about passwords
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are fun ways to teach children about how to use passwords, said ConnectSafely Education Director Kerry Gallagher.
Parents Real-world safety experience applies online too
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A lot of parents don't think they're tech savvy enough to advise their kids about how to stay safe online, but knowledge of real world safety applies ...
Beware of fake malware warnings
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Beware of fake malware warnings but do install legitimate anti-malware apps on your computer
Parents should avoid 'sharenting' of their kids on social media
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Parents, says ConnectSafely Youth Advisor Trisha Prabhu, should avoid "sharenting" by limiting what they post about their kids
Helping Kids Handle Online Mistakes
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Here's advice from ConnectSafely Educatiion Director Kerry Gallagher on how to talk wih kids about online mistakes in advance or after they happen.
High school debate can teach online and offline civility
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A Silicon Valley Urban Debate League tournament demonstrated how students can learn to argue both sides of an issue which can be good for democracy by...
Some kids did well during pandemic
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Pediatrician and head of the Boston Children's Hospital Digital Wellness Labs on why ome kids' learning improved during the pandemic
Kids. social media and body image
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We hear from ConnectSafely education director Kerry Gallagher about how to help teens, including boys, cope with body issues stemming from what they s...
This coming Tuesday is Safer Internet Day
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Tuesday is Safer Internet Day where schools, community groups and families are encouraged to talk about how they can use technology in a safer manner
Senators grill tech execs and demand changes to Section 230
01 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a rare show of unity, senators from both major parties grilled and criticized social media executives around child safety. Some senators said that ...
Don't let fous on GenAI blind you to other online risks
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's growing concern about the risks of Generative AI, but they don't change the fact that young people also have to worry about cyberbullying, onl...
Apple adds stolen device protection in iOS update
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A new update to the iOS operating system requires theives to go through extra identify checks to log in if they grab your phone from a location you d...
History of Tech Moral Panics
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We hear a lot of doom and gloom scenarios about Generative AI, social media and other aspects of tech. But it's not new. We've been panicing over tech...
Generative AI Privacy
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Watch what you enter into a Generative AI chatbox. Expert says it's not a good idea to share highly personal and confidential information
Impressions of the new Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Larry's new prescription glasses look pretty cool but they're also "smart." Meta Ray-Ban glasses have an LED to warn bystanders when he's taking a pic...
Watching programs with your teens can help them process what they see
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There is plenty of violent, sexual and controversial content on TV and in movies, which can be problematic for teenage viewers. But by watching it tog...
Online hate speech can lead to real-world violence
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Online hate speech isn't just a matter of free speech. It can contribute to real world violence. How it should be handled by services remains contrav...
Safety conversation goes along with connected holiday gifts
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You're kids have unwrapped their holiday tech gifts. Now it's time to talk about using them safely.
Managing "FOMO" (Fear of Missing Out)
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
ConnectSafely Education Director Kerry Gallagher has advice on how to manage your and your teen's "FOMO" or Fear of Missing Out.
The internet didn't start out as a money machine
14 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
UCLA professor Leonard Kleinrock, one of the very early pioneers of what became the internet, says that one reason for the negative issues associated ...
VR program helps understand impact of racism
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A virtual reality experienced, developed by Columbia University professor Courtney Cogburn, helps people understand the impact of racism.
Internet may not be the cause of teen mental health crisis
07 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many blame the internet and social media for the increase in teen mental health issues, but the chief scientist of the American Psychological assocati...
Critical thinking and Generative AI
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Generative AI is great but -- for kids and adults -- a litlle bit of critical thinking goes a long way
Talk with kids about the safe use of their new connected devices
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you're giving your child or teen a phone or other connected device this holiday season, talk witht hem about safe and approrpatie use
Grants for schools and community groups to teach about online safety
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
ConnectSafely is providing grants up to $1,000 to educators and non-profit community groups to present a Safer Internet Day program in February of nex...
Research shows parents and teens optimistic about Generative AI
16 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Despite all the angst we hear about in the media, a survey conducted on behalf of the Family Online Safety Institute found that both parents and teens...
Our brain has two systems for evaluating potentially false information
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Now that we're entering election season, expect to hear a lot of emotional appeals. There's a tendency to think about such information based on our em...
President Biden issues executive order on AI safety
09 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
President Biden issued an executive order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence based on some guiding pr...
AI conversation starters
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
ConnectSafely's education director, Kerry Gallagher, has some conversation starters for families seeking to understand the advantages and risks of gen...
Reports finds frustration wth social media moderation
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A recent report found that influencers, journalists and activits are frustrated by the harm done by social media companies' reporting mechanisms and l...
Managed Meta VR accounts for preteens
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Meta is allowing preteens to use its Quest virtual reality headsets but only with parental approval and supervision
Polly Klaas tragedy changed how we look for missing children
05 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A new book, In Light of All Darkness, by Kim Cross chronicles the search, tragic death and aftermath of the 1993 kidnapping of Polly Klass, including ...
Using Facebook to raise money for a cause
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
ConnectSafely Education Director Kerry Gallagher writes about how online distractions can become inspirations for good and University of Florida profe...
Internet pioneer expressed concerns about how it might be used for harm
28 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Airforce Major Josephy Haughney was manager of ARPANET, the military network that evolved into the internet when he expressed concerns about potential...
Internet pioneer Vint Cerf on benefits and challenges of today's internet
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Internet pioneer Vint Cerf pleased at much of the initial content that came out once the internet was made available to ordinary people but, like the ...
Apple's new child safety features
21 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Apple's new iOS operating system for iPhones and IPads has important child safety features along with safety information provided by ConnectSafely
Meta's Oversight Board Explained
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Meta, formerly Facebook, has an independent board that can make binding decisions about content, including the ability to overrule staff decisions,
Experts recommend you update your browser due to security flaw
14 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A new flaw that affects Chrome, Edge and other major browser has experts recommending you do an update.
Apps to get you outside
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There's no question that tech has created challenges when it comes to wellness, but there are plenty of apps that can help improve our well-being, inc...
Clear you browser history to incresae performance and protect security
07 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Deleting that cache on your internet browser can improve its performance and reduce both privacy and security risks.
Protecting your privacy on Venmo
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Venmo is a great way to send money to others, perhaps to split a restaurant bill but, by default it shares your transactions with others. In this Conn...
Google blurring explicit images with an option to view them
24 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Seeing sexually explicit or violent images can be disturbing for some adults and inappropriate at work or for children. Google isn't banning them but ...
Backing up is NOT hard to do
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Unlike breaking up, backing up your computer is not hard to do
Phone-free for a day
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
ConnectSafely's 22-year-old Youth Advisor and blogger Trisha Prabhu gave her phone to her mom for a day and lived to tell about it.
Back to School time is time for procuring tech and thinking about tech policies
03 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you buy that laptop or tablet for your student or get one from the school, this is the time to think about what tech you need, how your studen...
Online scamming is big business
03 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Online scams are costing Americans billions. Seniors and especially vulnerable but so are young people. We hear from a cybersecurity expert, interview...
Meta's making its AI language model open source could reduce risks
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are well known risks of generative AI but Meta's decision to make its new LLAMA 2 version of its large language model open source means that oth...
Time to review your app privacy
20 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It may be time to look at the privacy features, policies and settings of the apps on your phone and to delete any apps that you're not using.
Zepeto keeping kids and their avatars safe
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Zepeto, an app that allows teens to interact as avatars, has developed numerous tools to help keep teens safe on the platform. We hear from Elyse Lee,...
Allowing family or close friends to track each other online can bring peace of mind
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Allowing family or even close friends to track each other online can bring peace of mind but do periodically review who can track you,
Meta's Threads is Kinder and Gentler than Twitter
13 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Meta’s new Threads service is the second biggest challenge to Twitter. The biggest challenge is the antics of its owner, Elon Musk.
Digital Wellness is how you feel offline as well as when you're online
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Speaking at the Family Online Safety Institute European Forum, Áine Lynch, CEO of Ireland's National Parents Council pointed out that digital wellnes...
It's important to get teens to buy into digital family rules
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
ConnectSafely Education Director Kerry Gallagher says that teens crave autonomy so it's important for parents to get them to buy into family digital r...
Could a smart watch or fitness device save your life?
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are cases where people have been warned about life threatening conditions by an alert from their smart phone or fitness device.
What to do if you're being cyberbullied by relatives
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
ConnectSafely youth advisor weighs-in on how to handle the delicate situation of being cyberbullied by a relative.
Google Lens can identify rashes and moles
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Social Media use and happiness
15 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Research shows that how you use social media impacts your mood
Dealing with sextortion threat
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce has a flyer on sextortion -- a sexual exploitation crime that mostly victimizes boys
Emotional intelligence
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We hear a lot about tech and teen mental health. One way to help is to promote emotional intelligence
Beware of texting scams
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you get a text from a stranger that appears to be the wrong number, it could be a scam or a spammer trying to verify if you're a real person.
Surgeon General Advisory questions whether social media is safe for kids
25 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Without reaching any conclusions, the US Surgeon General's advisory questions whether kids can be harmed by social media
Google Safe Search
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Google has a tool that helps keep children from finding inappropriate content
Voice Cloning Makes Virtual Kidnapping More Convincing
04 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Criminals are using AI to clone the voice of the supposed kidnapping victim to make the call even more convincing.
Virtual kidnapping scam
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Your host was a victim of a virtual kidnapping scam. No one was in actual danger and no ransom was paid, but it was still frightening,.
Help prevent identity theft
27 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What you need to know about ID theft
Get to know the apps your kids use
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
TikTok's Tracy Elizabeth, who is also a parent, has some general advise for parents about kids use of any apps.
We asked ChatGTP to write an AI safety guide
13 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We asked ChatGTP to write an AI safety guide
Survey finds more young adults have online safety concerns than teens
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A six country survey, from Supachat parent company Snap, of thousands of teens and adults found that more young adults have online safety concerns th...
Google wants to help you sleep
06 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Google's Nest Hub, Pixel Watch and Fitbit trackers have features designed to monitor your sleep and make recommendations on changes to promote better ...
Social media toxicity isn't inevitable
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Many people blame mental health issues on the internet and social media. But there are other factors and there are healthy ways to use social media. ...
Experts call for pause in AI development to consider safety protocols
30 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
More than a thousand tech leaders and researches, including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have called for a pause on sophisti...
Mozilla Foundation invests in trustworthy AI
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Mozilla, the nonprofit behind the Firebox browser, is investing $30 million in trustworthy AI.
Why schools shoud teach responsible use of AI
23 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While chatbots like ChatGPT can be used by students to create content that isn't there own, an educator who knows their student can tell, said Connect...
ChatGTP privacy advise
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Larry asks ChatGPT for advise about online privacy
Profiles let Alexa devices know who's talking to them
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you're part of a family with an Amazon Echo device, consider using voice profiles so it knows who is talking to it and gives age-appropriate respon...
Watch out for AI generated misinformation
14 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Humans aren't the only ones who can pass on misinformation. Machines -- especially those using AI -- can do so as well.
Teen boys vulnerable to sextortion
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We speak with Dana Miller of the National Criminal Training Justice Center about how teenage boys can be impacted by sextortion: exchanging nude or s...
Hidden Words on Instagram and Facebook blocks offensive words
09 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We speak with Meta's Director of Youth Policy Nicole Lopez about Meta's hidden words feature that helps blocks offensive content on Instagram and Face...
Take it Down tools helps teens remove nude images from online site and apps
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The National Center for Missing & Exploited, with the help of Meta, has released Take it Down, an online tool that enables young people to request...
TikTok adds time limit default for teens and has new parental supervision tools
02 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
TikTok now defaults teens to 60 minutes a day. They can override that default, but if they do, they'll be prompted when they hit 100 minutes. The serv...
Online grooming happens over time and may involve someone the child knows
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Calahan Walsh from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children says that some people groom children online are known to the child so it's...
Communications is key to online parenting
16 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center talks about the importance of open communications and not blaming or punishing yo...
Civility includes pausing and thinking before you post
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
ConnectSafely's Youth Advisor Trisha Prabhu, who is the creator of the ReThink Words App, says that taking a moment to pause before you say something ...
Utah Bill Threatens Internet Security & rights for Kids and Adults
09 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Utah's SB 152 would require parents to provide their government-issued ID and physical address in order for their child or teenager to access social m...
How to speak with kids about real-world violence and brutality they see on media
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The deadly beating of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers is one of many horrific events that young people have been exposed to on TV and on the i...
Tuesday is Safer Internet Day
02 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This Tuesday, February 7th is Safer Internet Day where school students, families and folks at work can talk about how to make the internet a safer and...
Meta's decision letting Trump back on represents the battle of competing rights
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Both the ACLU and the ADL have been very critical of Donald Trump but, when it comes to Meta's decision to re-instate Trump, the organizations disagre...
Be careful when consulting "Dr. Google"
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Search engines like Google can lead you to some great medical information, but sometimes it's either wrong or unnecessarily scary. That's where a doct...
How to tell if Twitter Blue Check Mark is earned or paid for
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
That Blue Twitter checkmark used to mean that a person was who they said they were but you can now buy one for $8 a month. Still, there's a way to kno...