Episodios

  • Evolving Online Safety from Childhood to Adulthood with Amanda Lenhart

    Evolving Online Safety from Childhood to Adulthood with Amanda Lenhart
    Apr 10 2026
    Larry hosts Amanda Lenhart to discuss her newest study for the Joan Ganz Cooney Center, where kids and parents used playful activities to surface challenges and brainstorm solutions for managing technology at home.

    Lenhart explains a key takeaway: digital parenting is cyclical—families repeatedly research, adopt, “unbox,” and then continually manage devices as children mature and new tools arrive—creating exhaustion but also building experience parents can reuse. They compare tech safety to car safety (airbags, seat belts, car seats), arguing for stronger safety-by-design defaults alongside optional fine-grained controls.

    They discuss shifting risks, moral panics, rapid tech change, platform incentives, social media age bans, and the importance of respectful, ongoing conversations focused on maturity signals, balance, and scaffolding kids toward independent digital adulthood.

    00:00 Welcome to Doing Tech
    00:29 Meet Amanda Lenhart
    01:05 Inside the Cooney Study
    01:40 Playful Co Design Methods
    03:18 Why Younger Kids Matter
    06:27 Joan Ganz Cooney Center
    07:25 Parenting Tech Cycle
    11:29 Exhausted Parents Burden
    14:01 Safety by Design Defaults
    16:38 How Tech Has Changed
    17:49 Perjuvenile and Risk Fears
    19:14 Media Narratives vs Data
    21:34 Meta Verdict Turning Point
    22:22 Why Change Fails Inside Big Tech
    25:20 Tech Change Outpaces Research
    26:41 Parent Talks Not Lectures
    27:48 Maturity Signals For Devices
    29:37 Holding The Line With Teens
    32:15 Bans And Digital Adulthood
    33:26 Australia Under 16 Ban
    35:26 Youth Pushback And Analog Trends
    38:40 From Attention To Attachment AI
    43:04 Parent Advice Balance Over Bans
    45:31 Neurodivergent Kids And Gaming Wins
    46:35 Closing Thoughts And Optimism
    Más Menos
    48 m
  • Safety, Policy, and the LGBTQ+ Community with Shae Gardner

    Safety, Policy, and the LGBTQ+ Community with Shae Gardner
    Mar 13 2026
    This week Larry Magid interviews Shea Gardner, director of policy and research for LGBT Tech, about LGBTQ+ experiences online and the organization’s policy work.

    Gardner shares that LGBTQ+ people rely on digital spaces for community and resources but face worse socioeconomic outcomes and persistent online hate that reflects worsening real-world hostility; annual polling shows LGBTQ+ users report severe harassment yet still often feel safer online than offline.

    They discuss how youth-safety legislation, bans, and mandated parental controls can unintentionally censor or endanger youth who need online lifelines, emphasizing education and digital literacy.

    Gardner describes LGBT Tech’s approach to being “at the table” in policy debates and shares practical safety tips like blocking keywords and an upcoming resource compiling moderation tools across platforms.

    00:00 Welcome to Doing Tech Right
    00:30 Meet Shea Gardner
    01:23 What LGBT Tech Does
    02:55 Online Harassment Today
    04:55 Youth Safety Laws Risks
    05:37 Parental Controls Tradeoffs
    09:26 Policy Work and Inclusion
    10:59 Staying Safe on Platforms
    13:08 2026 Priorities and AI
    16:42 How AI Can Exclude
    18:43 Romance Chatbots Debate
    23:34 AI as Mental Health Lifeline
    26:26 Wrap Up and Credits
    Más Menos
    28 m
  • Safer Internet Day

    Safer Internet Day
    Feb 10 2026
    In honor of Safer Internet Day on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, this special podcast episode features ConnectSafely’s education director, Kerry Gallagher, in conversation with Mikki Wilson, the National PTA's Connected National Ambassador.

    They’re joined by members of both organizations’ youth advisory councils, along with parents, for a thoughtful discussion on online safety and digital wellbeing.
    Más Menos
    56 m
  • Seniors and Tech: Dispelling Myths and Building Skills

    Seniors and Tech: Dispelling Myths and Building Skills
    Nov 22 2025
    In this episode of Doing Tech Right, host Larry Magid interviews Ovee, a high school student and founder of the nonprofit 'Tech Me Kid.' The organization connects tech-savvy teens with senior citizens in need of technology assistance.

    Ovee discusses the importance of digital literacy for seniors, the wide spectrum of tech abilities among older adults, and the significance of cybersecurity. She also shares her experiences as part of Snap's Youth Advisory Council, addressing online safety and the rapid pace of technological change.

    Listen in to learn more about this innovative intergenerational program making a global impact.

    00:00 Introduction to Doing Tech Right
    00:29 Meet Ovee: Founder of Tech ME Kid
    01:11 Bridging the Tech Gap for Seniors
    03:42 Challenges and Solutions in Tech Education for Seniors
    04:38 The Role of Cybersecurity and AI
    05:42 Training Teen Volunteers
    08:41 The Rapid Pace of Technological Change
    17:43 Snap's Youth Advisory Council
    22:03 Global Reach of Tech Me Kid
    23:02 Final Thoughts on Online Safety
    23:57 Credits and Closing Remarks
    Más Menos
    24 m
  • Skin Gambling and Financial Scams Targeting Teens: with Vicki Shotbolt

    Skin Gambling and Financial Scams Targeting Teens: with Vicki Shotbolt
    Oct 24 2025
    Understanding and Combatting Online Financial Scams Targeting Teens | With Vicki Shotbolt

    In this episode, we speak with Vicki Shotbolt, Founder and CEO of the UK-based organization Parent Zone.

    Vicki discusses the pressing issues surrounding online financial scams targeting British teens and young people. We delve into various forms of digital financial complexities, including skin gambling, identity theft, and money muling.

    Vicki also provides practical advice for parents and young people on recognizing and recovering from scams. The conversation emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, open communication, and proactive measures to safeguard young people in the digital world.

    00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
    00:44 Financial Scams and Literacy Among Teens
    02:47 Gambling and Skin Gambling Explained
    06:01 Scams Beyond Gambling
    15:08 Parental Guidance and Financial Education
    22:59 Final Thoughts and Encourageme
    Más Menos
    28 m
  • Truth Unchained: A Young Leader Making a Stand Against Trafficking and Exploitation

    Truth Unchained: A Young Leader Making a Stand Against Trafficking and Exploitation
    Oct 8 2025
    In this episode of Doing Tech Right, host Larry Magid converses with Katelynn Nguyen, a high school senior and advocate for digital wellbeing, about the pressing issues of online trafficking, and sextortion.

    Katelynn, a member of Snapchat's Teen Council and founder of Truth Unchained, shares her personal experiences and insights into combating gender-based violence and promoting safe online practices.

    They discuss the common misconceptions about trafficking, the nuances of sextortion, and the importance of educating youth on digital risks. The episode also highlights the delicate balance between creating awareness and instilling fear, emphasizing the necessity of candid conversations on these critical topics.

    00:00 Introduction to Doing Tech Right
    00:28 Meet Katelynn: Youth Advocate
    01:14 Katelynn's Personal Story and Motivation
    02:25 Understanding Gender-Based Online Violence
    03:12 The Reality of Human Trafficking in the U.S.
    03:39 Misconceptions About Trafficking
    05:26 The Subtlety of Trafficking and Manipulation
    08:28 Grooming and Sextortion: A Closer Look
    17:30 The Risks and Realities of Sexting
    22:08 Balancing Awareness and Fear
    25:38 The Importance of Youth Voices
    27:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
    Más Menos
    29 m
  • Special Episode on Countering Digital Hate feat. Imran Ahmed

    Special Episode on Countering Digital Hate feat. Imran Ahmed
    Sep 12 2025
    Larry Magid hosts Imran Ahmed, founder and CEO of the Center for Combating Digital Hate, on the 'Doing Tech Right' podcast. They discuss the prevalence and amplification of hate on social media platforms, the algorithms that drive engagement through controversial content, and the impacts of online hate and conspiracy theories on children.

    Imran shares insights into how social media algorithms target vulnerable users and the urgent need for regulatory reform. He emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in children's online experiences and supports measures like the Kids Online Safety Act to protect young users.

    00:00 Introduction to Doing Tech Right
    00:29 A Timely Episode on Digital Hate
    01:47 Interview with Imran Ahmed
    02:02 The Business of Hate on Social Media
    03:50 The Evolution of Free Speech Perspectives
    11:56 The Impact of Hate Speech on Children
    15:13 The Role of Algorithms in Spreading Harmful Content
    19:31 The Need for Systemic Reform
    25:52 Protecting Kids Online
    28:31 Conclusion and Credits
    Más Menos
    29 m
  • Insights on Preventing Child Exploitation

    Insights on Preventing Child Exploitation
    Sep 3 2025
    Larry Magid hosts Erin Williamson, Chief Program & Strategy Officer at Love146, to discuss child trafficking, exploitation, and the role of trauma-informed care, prevention, and education.

    They delve into the distinction between online and offline predators, effective parental strategies, and the portrayal of trafficking in media versus reality. The episode also covers the impact of online rumors, proactive communication with children, and the importance of resilience and open dialogue in preventing exploitation.

    00:00 Introduction to Doing Tech Right
    00:29 Meet Erin Williamson: Advocate Against Child Trafficking
    01:10 Understanding Child Trafficking and Exploitation
    03:34 Online Predators and Child Safety
    05:45 Teaching Kids About Online Safety
    07:39 Sex Trafficking vs. Other Exploitations
    08:52 Recognizing Signs of Exploitation
    17:44 Debunking Internet Rumors and Conspiracies
    21:08 Resources and Hotlines for Help
    23:20 Addressing Sextortion and Its Impact
    27:23 Empowering Children and Moving Forward
    29:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
    Más Menos
    31 m