Stephen Balkam

What does ‘being best’ mean to Melania Trump now?

FOSI | Stephen Balkam Testifies Before U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Children's Online Safety

During his testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, FOSI CEO @stephen.bsky.social outlined a vision for online safety that balances protection with empowerment. 🌐

Read his full written testimony here ➡️: www.fosi.org/policy-resea...

FOSI | Safer Internet Day: The Need for a Balanced Approach to Teen Digital Wellbeing

🌍 It’s Safer Internet Day!

FOSI CEO @stephen.bsky.social shares a new take on teen digital wellbeing—one that empowers, not restricts youth online. Instead of bans, we need thoughtful solutions that balance safety & opportunity online. ✅

📖 Read his full piece below:
www.fosi.org/good-digital...

Big tech sues Maryland over kids online safety law Big tech companies like Google, Meta, and Amazon are going after Maryland's newest online child safety law.

Our State Policy Lead, Marissa Edmund, was featured in a Fox 5 segment discussing the Maryland Kids Code which went into effect in October. ✍️

With the law facing legal challenges, there is uncertainty around its future. 🗣️

Watch the full segment below to learn more ➡️ www.fox5dc.com/video/1588008

All in the mind? The surprising truth about brain rot Is screen use really sapping our ability to focus and lowering our IQs? The scientists who have actually analysed the data give their verdict

Hugely helpful insights and findings from @shuhbillskee.bsky.social & others on the vexed question of "screen time"

“An overwhelming majority of teens – 94% – say schools should be required to teach media literacy. And students with some form of media literacy lessons are more likely to fact-check before posting to social media, push back against misinformation when they see it and seek out reliable news.”

I asked the same question of DeepSeek and ChatGPT

FOSI | Meta’s Moderation Maneuver

Some thoughts on Meta’s awful announcement

My @connectsafely.bsky.social Report for CBS News Radio about @famonlinesafety.bsky.social research on digital wellbeing @stephen.bsky.social

tinyurl.com/msdn827a or where you get your podcasts

YouTube video by Family Online Safety Institute FOSI 2024 Global Online Safety Regulators Network: A Two Year Review

Julie Inman-Grant, Gill Whitehead and Benoit Loutrel discuss the complexities of regulating online safety around the world.

Episode 2269: Michael Sayman looks forward to an AI age in which all our online interactions are with bots SocialAI: Social Networking in a Time of the Ubiquitous Smart Machine

I highly recommend this conversation between Michael Sayman & Andrew Keen about bots, SocialAI and the "post-Cartesian age where we don't really know who we are."

A must read for parents and politicians alike.

Teens: Online Time Improves Our Well-Being, Though We Could Use More Sleep When it comes to time spent online, teens tell the Family Online Safety Institute that the good outweighs the bad. Top concerns include losing sleep, scams, and notification overload.

Really good review of our research report on teen's digital wellbeing which was released yesterday at #fosi2024

🌟 That’s a wrap on the #FOSI2024 Annual Conference!

Thank you to everyone who attended, spoke, and contributed to making this year’s event a resounding success.

Here’s to continued collaboration, innovation, and progress in online safety as we move “From Protection to Empowerment.” ✅ ✍️

FOSI | Stephen Balkam’s Opening Remarks - FOSI 2024 Annual Conference

Here are my remarks from earlier in the day at #fosi2024

FOSI | FOSI 2024 Annual Conference Save the date for the FOSI 2024 Annual Conference: From Protection to Empowerment! Join us in Washington, DC on Monday, December 9th, at the InterContinental on the Wharf. This is the premier online s...

Good morning from the @famonlinesafety.bsky.social conference in D.C. (CEO @stephen.bsky.social just announced that they're on Bluesky but didn't share the handle; I hope this is the right one.) Looking at the options among the four breakout tracks, which panels look more interesting to you?

Thanks, Rob!

A really moving and powerful introduction by Secretary Mayorkas, and great opening words by @stephen.bsky.social on the importance of protecting children ON the internet not FROM the internet…

FOSI | Promoting Wellbeing in a Digital World

Just released! Follow along at #fosi2024 as we unveil it today

Getting ready for #fosi2024

Fantastic to finally get a copy of our research report being launched at #fosi2024 tomorrow

We’re here! 🎉 The Family Online Safety Institute has officially joined Bluesky! 🌐

We’re excited to connect, share insights, and collaborate on all things online safety. Follow us for updates, tips, and the latest news. 💻✨ #OnlineSafety #FOSI #Bluesky

📣 Big News for the #FOSI2024 Annual Conference!

We’re excited to welcome Hon. Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security, as this year’s keynote speaker. 🌟

Don't miss this important discussion, register for our livestream now! ⬇️
www.eventbrite.com/e/fosi-2024-...

Well worth a read

Australian social media ban started with call to act by politician's wife Since Meta whistleblower Frances Haugen aired internal emails in 2021 showing the tech giant knew of social media's mental health impacts on teenagers, world leaders have agonised over how to curb the technology's addictive pull on young minds.

Hugely important backstory to the Australia social media ban.

Excellent piece on Australia’s new law: With its social media ban, parliament delivers a performance piece of legislative enshittification that rises to the cultural moment

Australia launches 'landmark' bill to ban social media for children under 16 Australia's centre-left government on Thursday introduced a bill in parliament that aims to ban social media for children under 16 and proposed fines of up to A$49.5 million ($32 million) for social media platforms for systemic breaches.

www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

FOSI | Should We Protect or Empower Our Kids? Yes.

"The best form of protection is empowerment."

Dipping my toes in the Bluesky waters.