Despite broad concern about youth online safety, little consensus has been found on policy. Federal legislation is stalled while state laws face legal challenges over claims they violate privacy and free expression law. 

It is clear that the status quo is not acceptable for the risk posed to children’s health and safety, but policy action could result in unintended consequences. 

That’s why the Stanford Internet Observatory and Social Media Lab are convening dozens of experts in youth online health and safety for discussions on research, industry guidance and public policy recommendations.

This unique invite-only event is hosted with the Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing and held in collaboration with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Kids Online Health & Safety Task Force.

Top federal officials will participate, including Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information Alan Davidson and Principal Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer Deirdre Mulligan.

Cyber Policy Center Co-Director and Harry and Norman Chandler Professor of Communication Jeff Hancock will lead the event and facilitate an open workshop discussion on identifying and addressing the risks and benefits of social media for young users.

The cross-disciplinary programming will open with a panel of young leaders involved in the Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing’s GoodforMEdia program. Current and former online trust and safety industry researchers and executives will also take the stage to discuss best practices for design interventions based on youth perspectives and experiences. 

Children’s health and psychology experts will lead conversations on what parents need to know about youth online safety and well-being, and how to share that information with them. Legal scholars and policy experts will lead conversations on privacy and legislation, while technical experts address industry efforts to address online child abuse and exploitation.

These timely conversations will inform academic research and a report by the federal task force with online safety best practices for parents, industry guidance and public policy recommendations. A public readout of the event will highlight key considerations and recommendations.