Derek E. Baird’s Post

Last week, California lawmakers worked until the final day of the session to pass numerous privacy and AI-related bills. One of the bills focused on AI & Kids' Privacy. AB 1949: Amends the CCPA’s children’s privacy provisions to provide that a business cannot collect, sell, or share the personal information of a child ages 13 to 17 without the child’s consent or, for children below 13, without a parent or guardian’s consent. A business must have actual knowledge or willfully disregard the consumer’s age to violate the provision. Full Bill 👉 https://lnkd.in/gHq5GeZS

When it comes to researching kids' play styles, Emma Worrollo is the best of the best. If you have a kiddo aged 6-12 years old interested in participating in this paid research, today is your lucky day! I trust Emma completely, and I guarantee that your kids will be in safe hands. Five stars. No notes.

Exciting news! BeMe Health has secured $12.5 million in additional funding to develop our teen mental health and wellness platform. From day one, our mission has been clear: create a space where teens can feel better, get support, stay on track, and build confidence. This platform is truly built with teens in mind. This milestone is a testament to our team's dedication, investors' trust, and invaluable input from our Teen Advisory Board. Your hard work, perseverance, and belief in our vision have made this possible. 📌 To our team: Your tireless efforts are changing lives. 📌 To our investors: Thank you for believing in BeMe's potential. 📌 To our Teen Advisory Board: Your feedback, collaboration, and trust are the foundation of our success. Together, we're making a real difference in teen mental health. Onward and upward! 🚀 #teenmentalhealth #startup #kidtech

On Friday, the 9th Circuit upheld part of the September 2023 preliminary injunction from U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman, including the California Age Appropriate Design Code (CAADC) limitations on collecting and selling children’s data and geolocation information. The appeals court upheld the injunction blocking the Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), which is intended to safeguard children from harmful online content. The court said the DPIA requirement "deputizes covered businesses into serving as censors for the State." #kidtech #privacy #AADC #KOSA #COPPA #DPIA

A few days ago, I shared my thoughts on Wellness by Design in AI chatbots for youth. Many of you asked for specific steps to safeguard children and teens using these tools. In response, I've outlined practical measures to protect children and teens while also embracing innovation. Our responsibility extends beyond mere functionality; we must ensure that these AI interactions support rather than undermine the complex journey of adolescent development. #AI #ChildSafety #ChildRights #kidtech #edtech

It's disheartening to witness the impact of today's layoffs on so many talented friends and former colleagues in the Paramount Studios' television studios division. If there's anything I can do to support you emotionally or if you need someone to listen, please don't hesitate to let me know.

The New Frontier of Teen Digital Safety: AI Companions As teens increasingly turn to AI bots for support, questions, and companionship--over 150 million people have had 10 billion messages with the My AI bot on Snap Inc.--we are quickly entering uncharted territory in child safeguarding. As kidtech, digital health, and edtech companies offering teens AI companions, they must step up to the challenge by developing comprehensive child trust and safety plans and implementing strong ethical AI guidelines. Wellness by Design is a holistic approach that aims to create environments and interactions that improve users' physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. When applied to AI companions for teens, these principles ensure that these interactions support rather than harm teen wellbeing. As child safety professionals, we must adapt quickly to this evolving landscape, working collaboratively with tech innovators to create a safer digital environment for our youth. Let's lead the way in shaping responsible AI companionship for the next generation. #AI #ethicalAI #childsafety

In today's hyper-connected world, Trust & Safety isn't just about data protection—it's about nurturing digital wellness. At BeMe, we're seeing an increase in election-related stress among teens. This isn't just a political issue; it's a Trust & Safety concern. Here's why: ✔️ Misinformation breeds anxiety ✔️ Online political discourse can turn toxic ✔️ Constant connectivity amplifies election stress Our approach: ✔️Create a safe digital space for teens to express concerns ✔️Provide verified, non-partisan information ✔️Offer real-time, non-partisan support from trained coaches By helping teens navigate election stress, we're not just supporting mental health but also fostering digital literacy and building trust in online platforms. It's time we expand our view of child Trust & Safety to include mental wellbeing. After all, a trusted platform is one that cares for its users' holistic health. #childsafety #minorsafety #wellbeing

The two bills in the package—the Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, and the Children’s and Teens Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA 2.0—represent the most significant congressional action in decades to regulate social media’s impact on children and teens. KOSA would require social media companies to provide better protections for users under the age of 17. It would also require companies to give guardians more control over minors’ use of a platform and prevent certain features, such as autoplay. And it would require companies to give users a dedicated page to report harmful content. COPPA 2.0 would create stronger online privacy protections for anyone under the age of 17. It would also bar targeted advertising to kids and teens and create an eraser button for parents and kids by requiring companies to allow users to delete information. #KOSA #COPPA #kidtech #edtech #privacy #childsafety #minorsafety #trustandsafety

The Kids Online Safety Act and COPPA 2.0 have cleared a critical procedural hurdle with an overwhelming 86-1 vote, setting the stage for a final decision next week. This bipartisan support demonstrates the growing consensus on protecting children in the digital space. In a significant move, the Biden administration has thrown its full support behind these bills. The White House emphasized their potential to "hold Big Tech accountable," urging lawmakers to send the legislation to President Biden's desk "without delay." Moreover, the passage of these bills would represent a significant step forward for the Child Rights by Design (CRbD) movement. CRbD advocates for embedding children's rights into the design and development of digital products and services from the outset. These new laws would reinforce the principles of CRbD, pushing companies to prioritize children's rights and well-being in their digital offerings. Staying informed and prepared for these changes is crucial for anyone involved in digital spaces, child safety, or tech policy. The passage of these bills could have far-reaching effects on how we approach online safety for our youngest internet users and how we design digital experiences with children's rights at the forefront. As we await the final vote, it's clear that the conversation around children's digital well-being is gaining momentum at the highest levels of government. This presents challenges and opportunities for creating a safer, more rights-respecting online environment for our children. #childsafety #minorsafety #trustandsafety #COPPA #KOSA #policy #kidtech #edtech #D4CR