The Cable Show: Keeping Kids Safe Online
Broadband for America is in Los Angeles this week for this year’s Cable Show. We’re spreading our message of bringing high-speed Internet access to every American home and business. Throughout the week, we’ll be bringing you updates from the show.
One of BfA’s signature issues is promoting broadband use through our nation’s educational system while simultaneously providing parents and kids with the tools to keep our children safe. Yesterday, the Cable Show hosted a discussion on that very subject, “Playing it Safe: Policy Approaches for Protecting Kids Online.” Some highlights from the discussion:
Jeff Weitzman, Common Sense Media: “Digital literacy really encompasses a set of skills and behaviors that both children and parents need to understand. When parents get involved, the statistics change. It’s not that hard to get these concepts across to kids.”
Doug Gansler, Maryland Attorney General: “I think there should be age verification rules. We need to respect that this is how kids communicate and that we understand that. At some point, as the younger kids get older, it will demystify that.”
Rob McKenna, Attorney General, Washington State: “I don’t think there’s much appetite to address privacy nationally. Whatever you do with privacy, there has to be a demand for the product. The solutions have to come from the users.”
Christine Kurth, FCC: “The FCC has a limited statutory authority in this area. The FCC can be used as a bully pulpit of sorts. A common sense approach that can be through the market as much as possible.”



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