Cyberwise Chats: Recent Episodes
Cyberwise
Join Diana Graber and Dr. Pamela Rutledge as they speak with expert guests about today’s most relevant opportunities and concerns around technology, social media, screen time, and how to help kids build a healthy relationship with technology.
We made a lot of mistakes when social media hit — kids were deep in it before most of us even knew what to worry about. Now AI is here, it's moving even faster, and we have a chance to do this differently. In this Cyberwise Chat, Dr. Pamela Rutledge and Diana Graber sit down with special guest Lisa O'Masta, CEO of Learning.com, to talk about what's already happening with AI in kids' lives, why it's a fundamentally different challenge than social media, and what parents and educators can actually do about it right now. No jargon, no fear-mongering — just an honest, practical conversation about raising AI-ready kids.
AI tools are rapidly becoming part of everyday life—from homework help and learning apps to chatbots, image generators, and more. Kids are exploring these tools earlier than ever so in this episode, we walk parents and caregivers through how to create a Family AI Use Agreement—a clear, developmentally informed set of expectations that supports healthy, ethical, and safe habits with AI.
In this Cyberwise Chat, we explore the growing trend of children forming connections with AI companions. With the recent introduction of Google’s Gemini AI chatbot for users under 13, designed to assist with tasks like homework and storytelling , questions arise about the impact of such technology on children’s emotional development and sense of belonging. We’ll delve into current research on the psychological effects of AI interactions, discuss concerns raised by child development experts, and provide parents and teachers with practical tips to navigate this new digital landscape. Whether your child is already engaging with AI or you’re seeking to understand this emerging trend, listen in for insights and guidance on fostering healthy relationships between kids and technology.
Cyberwise: https://www.cyberwise.org/
Cyber Civics: https://www.cybercivics.com/
Are we really protecting young people online, or are we just creating a false sense of security through various bans and restrictions? In this compelling "Cyberwise Chat,” Diana Graber and Dr. Pamela Rutledge chat with two leading experts, Dr. Sydney Sullivan and Dr. Nolan Higdon, who will change how you think about online safety.
We explore the current trend toward Digital Protectionism and discuss how policies restricting access may actually be depriving youth of opportunities for learning, growth, and the development skills they will need. And how this is also letting Big Tech off the hook.
See all of our Chats here: https://www.cyberwise.org/cyberwisechats
In this Cyberwise Chat, Dr. Pamela Rutledge and Author Diana Graber welcome back special guest Dino Ambrosi, Founder of Project Reboot, a research-backed program aimed at helping students develop healthy digital habits. We discuss the insights Dino has gathered from meeting with students around the world. How are they navigating their relationship with technology today?
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtEHzF0SZXQ
A new year full of new trends awaits our digital kids… Meta (Facebook and Instagram) have ditched fact-checking, TikTok will likely be banned in the US, and Florida has enacted its ban aimed at keeping kids under 14 off of social media. At the same time, AI finds its way into literally every online tool kids will use in 2025 and beyond. How are parents supposed to keep up? In this interactive webinar (yes, you can ask questions!), Dr. Pamela Rutledge and Diana Graber will discuss the latest trends and provide tips on how parents, caregivers, and teachers can best support their digital kids.
Visit us at: https://www.cyberwise.org/cyberwisechats
The use of generative AI (artificial intelligence that can produce new content) to generative nude or nearly-nude depictions of individuals is a troubling and growing trend. A simple Google search reveals dozens of free and easy-to-use “nudification” apps that anyone a use. Already students have used these to generate and share naked images of classmates via group chats and on social media. Such digitally altered images — known as “deepfakes” or “deepnudes” — can have devastating consequences. Learn more by watching this Cyberwise Chat. To see all of our Chats visit: https://www.cyberwise.org/cyberwisechats
There’s increasing concern about rising anxiety levels among youth, and technology often gets the blame. As we navigate a world where technology is an integral part of life, it’s crucial to equip young people with the skills to use it in a balanced and responsible way.
This is where digital and media literacy comes into play. In this Cyberwise Chat, we speak with Erin McNeill, the Founder and CEO of Media Literacy Now, to explore the current state of digital and media literacy education. We discuss how fostering these skills can help young people critically evaluate media, make informed decisions, and reduce the negative impacts of technology on mental health.
See all of our Chats: https://www.cyberwise.org/cyberwisechats
With summer upon us, children everywhere are looking forward to keeping connected to their friends by playing online video games. Learn how to safeguard your kids whether they are playing one of the most popular games—Fortnite—or using the best-selling game console—PlayStation 5. For this Chat we spoke with Candela Montero, who is the Senior Director of Ecosystem Integrity at Epic Games, and Catherine Jensen, the VP of Global Consumer Experience at Sony Interactive Entertainment. Listen to learn about their built-in parental controls and more.
Everything your child posts online, or what others post about them, can potentially be seen by anyone and everyone! And we know that this matters. More and more, colleges, prospective employers, and even complete strangers are learning about our children online. While maintaining an appropriate and respectful digital reputation is a big responsibility for young people, it also presents a huge opportunity for them to tell a positive story! In this Cyberwise Chat we’ll talk with Kevin Quinlan, who is the Director of Education of LifeBrand, a company that helps individuals, schools, and businesses create meaningful and positive online reputations.
During this Cyberwise Chat, we chatted with Bill Marsland, the Director of Education at Code Ninjas, the world's largest and fastest-growing kids' coding franchise. Watch and learn about all the cognitive skills kids gain when they learn how to code.
See all of our Cyberwise Chats here: https://www.cyberwise.org/cyberwisechats
Check out Code Ninjas here: https://www.codeninjas.com/
Cyberbullying, Digital Drama, Exclusion, Hate Speech... problems that originate online are increasingly coming to school and disrupting the learning environment. Oftentimes, parents look to already overwhelmed teachers to solve these problems. But adding one more thing the the long list of priorities teachers already have is a tall order. So how can teachers, and parents, nip social media problems in the bud and keep them from spilling into the school day? In this Chat we offer answers, and solutions, as well as the results of our teacher survey on this issue. Learn more: www.cybercivics.com
More than ever, today’s children are growing up in world where nearly every moment of their lives is captured and shared on social media and more. In this Cyberwise Chat we spoke with Dr. Devorah Heitner, the best-selling author of “Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World,” about the special challenges today’s connected children face. We explored ways you can help your children set boundaries, manage their privacy and reputations, while they also figure out who they are in a world where everyone is watching. Learn more at www.cyberwise.org
Worried about your kids and online gaming? Well, worry no more! In this Cyberwise Chat, Dr. Pamela Rutledge and Diana Graber talk about all the (easy!) ways you can keep your children safe while they play. Learn more: https://www.cyberwise.org/cyberwisechats
Learn how to protect your children from bullying and cyberbullying from experts Diana Graber, Dr. Pamela Rutledge, and Special Guest Ross Ellis from STOMP Out Bullying!
How To Protect Your Child From Cyberbullying
With Dr. Pamela Rutledge & Diana Graber
+ Special Guest Ross Ellis, Founder & CEO, STOMP Out Bullying®
In this Cyberwise Chat, we discuss the top five lessons teachers say kids need most in order to use tech safely, wisely, and most of all, productively! From managing screen time to dealing with cyberbullies, we’ve got you covered. We’ll show you step-by-step how to teach these topics to different ages and stages. Help your children thrive this year and beyond!
Innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) are accelerating at breakneck speeds: it’s hard for busy parents to keep up! Already children are growing up with AI-powered devices in the home, like Siri and Alexa, and many are playing with AI art tools like Dall E-2 or Dreamlike, and they may be talking about people having AI girlfriends (yes, it’s a thing). Even more advanced AI is on the way and these innovations will change everything from how kids learn, how they do research, and the jobs that will be available to them in the future.
What skills should we be teaching our children today to prepare them for a future inevitably powered by AI? How can we help them understand and master AI tools in the future? And, most importantly, how can we ensure they use AI tools safely and responsibly? We discuss this and more during our Cyberwise Chat.
Utah became the first state in the U.S. to ban teens from social media. Utah SB 152 requires that all residents under the age of 18 have parental consent in order to create an account. Additionally, users under the age of 18 are banned from all qualifying social media platforms between 10:30 pm and 6:30 am. Arkansas became the second state to enact a similar ban, prohibiting social media companies from allowing Arkansas residents under 18 years of age from holding accounts without parental consent. Lawmakers in other states are considering similar legislation. During this Cyberwise Chat, we’ll discuss the effectiveness of this approach at keeping kids safe from the threats many of us fear: the mental health impact of social media, powerful algorithms that keep users engaged, cyberbullying and hate speech, online predators, exposure to inappropriate content, misinformation, and more.
Our special guest is Dino Ambrosi, founder of Project Reboot, a program designed to help teens reset their tech habits and build relationships with technology that empower them. Ambosi designed this program at UC Berkeley due to his personal challenges with technology, which he'll share with us during this Chat.
To see all of our Cyberwise Chats, please visit: https://www.cyberwise.org/cyberwisechats
Kids are spending more time with screens than ever, and worried parents are wondering if we have reached the point of no return. Can we help kids strike a balance between screen time and all the other important things in their young lives? We think so, and we explore how. We were joined for this chat by Amy Webster and Amina Mohamoud, the Youth Engagement Director and Coordinator of "LiveMore ScreenLess," a nonprofit that partners with school communities to promote and advocate for digital wellbeing, which is defined as balanced, intentional and effective use of technology.
TikTok, the popular app beloved by tweens and teens, has found itself in the crosshairs lately. President Joe Biden recently signed legislation that would ban the app from phones and computers issued by federal agencies. Dozens of states have implemented similar prohibitions on devices used by their employees, and universities across the country have banned the app on university-issued phones and from campus Wi-Fi networks.
The reasons for these bans vary from concerns about algorithms that amplify misinformation to the app’s negative impact on societal discourse. The most cited concern, however, involves national security, as the app is run by ByteDance, a Chinese-owned company. This has led to widespread fears about national security risks and the protection of personal privacy. In this Cyberwise Chat when we talk about whether TikTok is safe for your child to use, or not.
ChatGPT — the popular new A.I chatbot that can write essays, solve complex problems, do homework, and more — has sent many parents and educators into a panic. They believe students will use this tool to cheat, or worse, that students will never learn to write or think for themselves all. Some school districts have even banned the use of ChatGPT altogether. In this Cyberwise Chat, Dr. Pamela Rutledge, Director of the Media Psychology Research Center, and Diana Graber, founder of Cyberwise and Cyber Civics, and author of “Raising Humans in a Digital World” chat about whether or not this will change education as we know it, if this change be for better or for worsens, most importantly, what parents can do now to prepare their kids for a brave new (online) world.
A popular “Wait Until 8th" campaign encourages parents to band together and agree to delay giving children a smartphone until at least 8th grade. While there are some advantages to this approach, in this Cyberwise Chat, Dr. Pamela Rutledge, Director of the Media Psychology Research Center, Diana Graber, Founder of Cyberwise and Cyber Civics and author of "Raising Humans in a Digital World," are joined by teachers Soni Albright and Joshua Berman to discuss the pros and cons of waiting to give children a smartphone. Learn more: www.cyberwise.org and www.cybercivics.com.
From Disney characters to YouTubers and Instagram celebrities, kids can develop deep emotional connections with media personalities and characters. These “parasocial relationships” are one-sided but to the kids, the media characters can feel like real friends, influencing everything a real friend does, from product purchases and interest in social causes to feelings of belonging and self-worth. In this Cyberwise Chat we discuss the positives and negatives of parasocial relationships and how they change as kids age. We also explain how you can help your kids recognize and navigate these tricky relationships.
In this Cyberwise Chat we talk to authors Dr. Carrie James and Dr. Emily Weinstein about their new book: "Behind Their Screens: What Teens are Facing (and What Adults are Missing)." It turns out what adults are missing is... a lot! After surveying more than 3,500 teens, the authors discovered that youth worry about their dependence on devices, being left out socially, and they feel pressure to be "on" 24/7. You will learn about the different kinds of "sexting," comparison quicksand, collecting receipts, and many more important topics that today's digital parents should know about. Don't miss this one!
Digital kids face all kinds of online pressures and challenges, from cyberbullying to sexting, counting social media “likes,” to trying to look “perfect” online. The one skill that can help them withstand these pressures is resiliency. In this Cyberwise Chat, Dr. Pamela Rutledge, Director of the Media Psychology Research Center, author Diana Graber, founder of Cyberwise/Cyber Civics, and kids media expert CJ Lindsey, host of “The Parents Guide to What Kids Watch” will address how help kids build the resiliency they need to be safe and wise online.
In early 2022, two teen boys took their own lives due to "sextortion." This is a form of blackmail in which the attacker threatens to send intimate images or videos of the victim to others if they do not pay them or give them additional images or videos. Although this can happen to anyone of any age or gender, attackers tend to target younger victims and in March of this year, the FBI warned of an increase in sextortion cases targeting young boys.
In this Chat, we explain how parents can protect their children from falling for this particular online scam. Our special guest is online safety expert Darren Laur, aka "The White Hatter."
Online life is complex and the list of topics kids should know about and understand includes everything from misinformation, disinformation, sexting, cyberbullying, deep fakes, stereotypes, plagiarism, web search, personal information, copyright, and much more. Digital literacy IS today’s literacy and kids unequipped with it are woefully unprepared for digital life. In this webinar we discuss how kids can learn digital literacy to be successful at all ages. Special guest Dino Ambresi, a self-described ex-social media "addict" with a mission to help others build healthy relationships with their devices talked about the digital literacy course he designed and teaches at the University of California at Berkeley. Founder Diana Graber explained why Cyber Civics, our own middle school digital literacy curriculum, is taught in middle school. And Dr. Pamela Rutledge talked about its roots in Media Psychology which she teaches at the college level. Finally, CJ Lindsey, who has led digital strategies for DC Comics, Cartoon Network, Sesame Street, Harry Potter, and others, will talk about the foundational digital literacy skills young kids are gleaning from their favorite programs.
Just when you thought kids couldn't possibly spend more time with screens, a new study from Common Sense Media finds screen time is up 17% for tweens and teens since the start of the pandemic. And that doesn’t include time spent attending school virtually and doing homework. In this Cyberwise Chat, we dive in to the different ways kids use screens and address the million dollar question: How much is too much? We’re joined by special guest Sue Scheff, nationally recognized author, parent advocate and family Internet safety advocate. Most importantly, Sue is the founder of P.U.R.E. (Parents Universal Resource Experts) where she helps parents at their wit's end when trying to find help for teens struggling with behavioral addiction to screens.
If you think TikTok is just a fun, lip-synching, dancing app, think again. Millions of young people getting real-time information—sometimes quite graphic— about the war in Ukraine from the platform. Some posts have earned millions of likes and hundreds of thousands of comments. Even the White House has taken note of TikTok as a prominent news source about the war, recently inviting 30 top TikTok influencers to a press briefing in order to provide them with key information to inform their content. Watch this Cyberwise Chat with Dr. Pamela Rutledge of the Media Psychology Research Center and Diana Graber of Cyberwise to find out what your children are learning about war on TikTok.
Along with exciting and positive ways of connecting, social media also exposes youth to new risks—like cyberbullying, sexting, misinformation, political polarization, inappropriate content, predators, mining of personal information, possible impact to self-esteem, and more. Most parents are aware of these risks, but are less knowledgeable about what they can do to make social media safer. In this Chat we’ll discuss how all stakeholders—parents, schools, policy makers, and tech companies—can work together to mitigate social media risks and make connecting safer for our kids. We are very excited to welcome special guest David Ryan Polgar, Founder and Executive Director of All Tech Is Human. David is a pioneering tech ethicist who paved the way for the current debates around tech ethics, digital citizenship, and what it means to be human in the digital age.
For many teens during the pandemic, the only option to maintain and forge new relationships with their peers has been via their devices. This includes romantic relationships. Understandably, teens are flirting, “dating,” and even meeting potential partners online. In this Chat, we’ll talk about what parents can do to ensure their kids have safe and healthy online relationships. We’ll cover the most popular dating apps, talk about “sexting,” and give tips on how parents can talk to teens about their online relationships. We were very excited to welcome our special guest, graduate student Taylor Blatchford, who is also the founder of Text2Regret.
When Facebook rebranded itself as “Meta” last October, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced plans to develop a massive “metaverse.” Broadly, this will be an immersive digital world accessed through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (VR) devices. Still confused? Think “Ready Player One"! What the "metaverse" means for the youngest and most vulnerable potential users—children—is the topic of this Cyberwise Chat with Diana Graber, Dr. Pamela Rutledge, and special guest Sean Herman, Founder and CEO of Kinzoo.
From an iPhone to Nintendo Switch, a tablet to a smartwatch, what's on your child's wishlist? And more importantly, is your child ready for the responsibility many of these tech gifts demand? In this Chat we answer your questions about tech-readiness and how to prepare your child for the gadgets they're wishing for.
A Wall Street Journal article titled, “Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show,” reports that “(f)or the past three years, Facebook has been conducting studies into how its photo-sharing app affects its millions of young users.” Facebook’s own researchers “found that Instagram is harmful for a sizable percentage of them, most notably teenage girls.” In this chat we discuss these findings, take a dive into the research, and most importantly, explain what parents can do!
When parents think of TikTok, usually viral dance videos come to mind. However, platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Twitter are being used by Gen Z — youth born after 1996 —to revolutionize activism. At just the click of a button, they can start a movement… like TikTok users who helped sabotage a Trump rally when they coordinated to register for tickets and did not show up, or young Indonesians who used the app to protest labor law reforms. And following George Floyd's murder, there was a surge in Black Lives Matter videos on all of these social media apps. Dr. Brooke Foucault Welles, co-author of "#Hashtag Activism: Networks of Race and Gender Justice" was our special guest.
Did our clickbait headline get your attention? We hope so! In this Cyberwise Chat, we tackle the topic of clickbait and misinformation. Kids today are exposed to all sorts of online information that's downright untrue, and unarmed with media literacy skills, they can fall for (and share!) headlines designed to grab their attention. Find out how you can prepare your child to face an online world full of clickbait and fake news!
One of the most disturbing problems of the digital age is how easy it is for children to access online pornography. With cellphones in their pockets, access to porn is often just a click away. In fact, the average age of first Internet porn exposure is 11 years old and whether your child accidentally or intentionally stumbles across it, the impact can be devastating. Learn how to protect your children from online pornography, what to do if they have already accessed online porn, and how to have honest conversations about this thorny topic.
During this post-pandemic return to “normal,” kids need parents to help them re-learn how to balance screen time with real life, understand how to use technology mindfully and safely and, most of all, help them manage the anxiety and stress many have (and will) suffer during this transition. Watch Diana Graber of Cyberwise, Dr. Pamela Rutledge, Director of the Media Psychology Research Center, and Rick Andreoli, Editor-In-Chief of Parentology tackle these topics.
In this episode, we discussed parental concerns about Instagram. Here are some things that top the list: Data collection, access to inappropriate content (pornography, violence, fake news, dangerous challenges, etc.), a "compare and despair" atmosphere, possible links to anxiety and depression, and more. On top of all this, Facebook is reportedly planning to build a version of the app for the under-13 set. Good idea or bad idea?
Clubhouse is one of the newest on the block, what about it is making is so popular, so fast? And Omegle has been around for a while, why the sudden resurgence in interest? Is it safe for kids? What other chat apps are kids using now and why? Join us to chat about these social media platforms and more.
Teens might use the phrase “you’re canceled” in jest, but some are taking it a step farther and actually blocking, unfollowing, and boycotting peers on social media (and in real life) because of a personal opinion or for simply saying/doing something disagreeable. “Cancel Culture” has made its way into classrooms and into teen peer groups. This new form of cyberbullying has many parents concerned about how it’s affecting their kids.
From the "Cereal Challenge" to the "Penny Challenge," the "Blackout Challenge" and more, viral challenges born and spread on the popular app, TikTok, range from silly to downright dangerous. In this Cyberwise Chat, Dr. Pamela Rutledge and Diana Graber talk to Parentology's Editor-in-Chief, Rick Andreoli about some of the most outrageous TikTok Challenges, and what parents should know about them. Help your kids use technology safely and wisely.
Some prominent public figures have had their social media accounts revoked--on Twitter, Instagram, and more--for conduct that violates the sites' terms of use, and kids are watching! In this Cyberwise Chat, we discuss how to talk to kids about these events and how it influences their own social media behavior.
2020 is gone, but COVID is still here. That means many of us are still relying on tech--for learning, work, and socialization. Listen to this Cyberwise Chat to find out what tech tools your family can use to thrive in 2021.
Dr. Pamela Rutledge, Director of the Media Psychology Research Center, and Diana Graber, author of "Raising Humans in a Digital World," answer your questions about tech and human behavior. This week find out if your child is ready for the most popular holiday gift... the cellphone.
Here we answer your questions about how to use technology (and which tech to use) to stay connected with family and friends during our COVID-holidays. Be sure to download the show notes to get access to the resources discussed.