ConnectSafely Live

An interview with Laura HigginsDirector of Community Safety & Digital Civility, Roblox recorded in February 2021

Michele Borba, author of UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed In Our All About Me World, explains why empathic kids enjoy better mental health and overall resiliency. The good news is empathy is easy to teach.“Don’t tell your kids to do something, show them,” Michele says. “Ask yourself each night, if my child had only my behavior to watch today, what did they learn? It can be a scary scenario.”Michele also discusses why empathy among young people is down and self-absorption is up, and what parents and educators can do to turn around the trend.

Larry Magid and Kerry Gallagher spoke with US-born Julie Inman Grant about her role as Australia’s eSafety Commissioner, the country’s national independent regulator for online safety. Julie talked about her unique government role and her career working for Microsoft, Twitter and Adobe

When it comes to understanding how young people and their families are coping with today’s technology, there are no better experts than Sonia Livingstone and Alicia Blum-Ross. Both have been researching this subject for years and they have recently collaborated on an excellent book “Parenting for a Digital Future” based on in-person interviews and surveys of families. Though the research was done in London, it’s applicable to America because it delves into the lives of a vastly divergent group of families from many backgrounds and nationalities and all income levels. This interview is well worth your time if you want to learn more about how today’s families are coping with technology.

Trudy Ludwig's children's books are not only delightfully written and illustrated but also teach and model empathy, caring and kindness.She joined us on ConnectSafely Live to talk about her work and her new book The Power of One, which she read aloud. So, take a look and bring your children in when she starts to read. It's a real treat.

Larry Magid and Kerry Gallagher speak with chat Father Robert Ballecer Ballecer a Jesuit priest currently at Jesuit Curia in Rome where he is spearheading an effort to use new media for evangelization. Whatever your beliefs (or not), this is a very worthwhile conversation about compassion, resilience, willingness to change and — yes — faith and politics

Larry Magid and Kerry Gallagher speak with Kim Karr, co-founder of #ICANHELP along with the organizations lead intern, Malorie Bournazian about mental health and digital wellness

Will Gardner, CEO of London-based Childnet International, has been working in online safety for children for >20 years and has a great deal of insight not just about protecting kids but empowering them. This was an upbeat and optimistic conversation about a wide variety of topics ranging from sexting to youth activism.

Larry Magid and Kerry Gallagher spoke with UK-based John Carr, Secretary of British Children’s Charity Safety Coalition, about child safety online. We also got a British perspective on issues facing both the US and the UK, including Covid-19 and racial justice.

Mia Doces of Committee for Children talks to us about social-emotional learning during the pandemic, and how parents and teachers can help children build resilience and strengthen relations during the Covid-19 crisis.