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About the Internet Safety Technical Task Force
The Internet Safety Technical Task Force (ISTTF) is a group of Internet businesses, non-profit organizations, academics, and technology companies that have joined together to identify effective tools and technologies to create a safer environment on the Internet for youth. It was created in February 2008 in accordance with the Joint Statement on Key Principles of Social Networking Safety announced by the Attorneys General Multi-State Working Group on Social Networking and MySpace in January 2008. The scope of the ISTTF’s inquiry is to consider those technologies that industry and end users can utilize to keep children safe on the Internet, with the bulk of the Task Force's attention concentrated on issues concerning contact: preventing harmful contact with adults, preventing harmful contact with other minors (including cyber bullying and sexual predation), and identity theft. As time allows, we will also address two content areas: preventing access to inappropriate content and preventing illegal content (such as child pornography). The solutions to be considered will include a broad range of technology tools and services. The Task Force recognizes also the importance of other solutions -– such as social norms, law, policy, and market factors –- and will situate technology-based solutions within the context of these other types of solutions. The Task Force will issue quarterly reports to the Attorneys General, as well as a Final Report on December 31, 2008.
Source: Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University
The Internet Safety Technical Task Force (ISTTF) and WiredSafety
Parry Aftab, our Teenangels and Tweenangels and the other volunteers at WiredSafety would like to thank the Attorneys General, MySpace, Facebook and the others responsible for the formation of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force for the opportunity to serve on the ISTTF. The process has brought together influencers, leaders in the industry, respected researchers and technology experts and the most credible advocates for children online.
The process has also been very effective in focusing attention on the issue and forcing those in the field to think harder and more effectively. A tangible change has occurred in cybersafety and shows the promise of collaborations like this. This would not and could not have happened without the leadership of the Attorneys General, in particular Generals Blumenthal and Cooper. The formation of the ISTTF will mark the beginning of a new period of closer cooperation, shared expertise and getting serious about cybersafety from all perspectives and including all stakeholders. We need to be mindful, however, that cybersafety is not a destination; it is a journey and, this journey will continue, build and improve over time. But it had to begin somewhere. I see a strong beginning here.
We would also like to thank John Palfrey and the experts and talented researchers from The Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard for their tireless and patient work in trying to "herd the cats" of diverse opinions, expertise and experience. They have prepared a clear report that addresses the issues in a meaningful way.
This is an important start, and we welcome the opportunity to be involved in more initiatives and collaborative efforts to address the issues. This is an exciting time to work in cybersafety.
Thank you.
An expansion of WiredSafety's Comments to the ISTTF Final Report, incorporated therein by reference are posted here and may be updated from time to time. It addresses research needs, additional research contributed by Teenangels and our perspective on the issues.
Follow this link to read the full ISTTF report >>
Comments
Teenangels Research
Interactive Gaming >>
Friends vs. Friends (Cyberbullying) >>
Teen and Tween Use of Wireless Handheld Devices >>
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January 22, 2009:
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