Get Involved: Family Online Safety & Awareness

Next week, FOSI (short for Family Online Safety Institute) will be hosting it’s annual conference.  This conference provides one of the most important platforms for real discussion regarding youth activity (and safety) in the digital space, and it brings together voices from every involved party – lobbyists, operators, journalists, parents, teachers, etc.  As described on FOSI’s 2013 Annual Conference website:

The Family Online Safety Institute’s 2013 Annual Conference will be taking place at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, in Washington DC. This year’s conference, being held on November 6th and 7th, will bring together the top thinkers in online safety: academics, educators, law enforcement, industry, policy makers, and non-profits.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this vital two day event where we will be discussing a variety of issues related to online safety including privacy, technologies of the future, online reputation, identity theft, and international trends.

The Metaverse Mod Squad crew will be there in full force to lend our support and knowledge. Our very own Izzy Neis will be participating in the panel, “Creating Trust in Social Networks and Virtual Worlds,” moderated by Larry Magid of ConnectSafely.org.  This panel will take place November 7th, 2:30 pm, during the Breakout Sessions, and also include Jordan Barnes, of Skout, Nicky Jackson Colaco, from Facebook, Holly Hawkins, of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and Rebecca Newton, from Moshi Monsters.

If you work in digital media for children, teens, or families, this is an important event.  If you feel strongly about the safety, privacy, and the digital interactivity of our youth, and you cannot be in physical attendance — join in the discussion digitally!  Follow @FOSI, track the #FOSI2013, or like FOSI on Facebook.  Don’t be afraid to speak up and engage in conversation with your fellow virtual participants.  Again, your involvement and awareness is key to progression and education across the board!

If you DO happen to find yourself in attendance – look for us!  Come say “hi!”  We’re still as fresh-faced and child-like as the photographs on our website, we’re also a quite entertaining crew.

For more information, visit the Fosi.org website, or click here to register for this event.  We hope to see you in there (or, engaged in discussion online)!