online safety

3:30 am on October 7, 2026 · 2026 (279), digital equity (10), gender (6), isoc ghana (4), online safety (31), women (15)

HYBRID 9 OCT 10:00 UTC: Digital Reality Challenge – Empowering Women for a Safer Internet

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Blue-purple gradient event graphic with bold yellow and white typography. The Digital Reality Challenge logo appears at upper left beside the title “Empowering Women for a Safer Internet.” A yellow theme label sits above the large, centered white headline “Building a Safer, Fairer & More Inclusive Digital World.” A white panel across the bottom displays partner logos for the Internet Society Gender Standing Group, Internet Society Online Safety SIG, Internet Society Ghana Chapter, and Makatob IT Securities. A partial orange circular accent decorates the upper-right corner.

Blue-purple gradient event graphic with bold yellow and white typography. The Digital Reality Challenge logo appears at upper left beside the title “Empowering Women for a Safer Internet.” A yellow theme label sits above the large, centered white headline “Building a Safer, Fairer & More Inclusive Digital World.” A white panel across the bottom displays partner logos for the Internet Society Gender Standing Group, Internet Society Online Safety SIG, Internet Society Ghana Chapter, and Makatob IT Securities. A partial orange circular accent decorates the upper-right corner.
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On Friday, 9 October 2026 at 10:00 GMT (10:00 UTC), The Digital Reality Challenge presents ‘Empowering Women for a Safer Internet‘, a hybrid event under the theme ‘Building a Safer, Fairer & More Inclusive Digital World‘. Partners are the Internet Society Gender Standing Group, the Internet Society Online Safety SIG, the Internet Society Ghana Chapter (ISOC Ghana), and Makatob IT Securities.

SPEAKERS
Dr. Maud Ashong Elliot – President, Internet Society Ghana Chapter
Gloria Amofah-Adjekum – Programme Manager, Women in Internet Governance & Online Safety Advocate
HOST
Naomi Amoanwah Appiah – Online Trust and Safety Campus Ambassador, Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU)

#OnlineSafety #WomenOnline #DigitalInclusion #Ghana

9:16 pm on September 20, 2026 · 2026 (279), ai (66), infrastructure (23), marconi society (11), online safety (31), trust (12)

WEBINAR 21 OCT 16:00 UTC – Trust, Safety, and Infrastructure-Aware AI: Building a Secure Internet for the Next Decade

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Dark teal title card for The Marconi Society, with its white logo centered near the top above a thin gold horizontal line. Large bold white text in the center reads “Trust, Safety, and Infrastructure-Aware AI: Building a Secure Internet for the Next Decade,” with the date 21 October 2026 centered near the bottom.

Dark teal title card for The Marconi Society, with its white logo centered near the top above a thin gold horizontal line. Large bold white text in the center reads “Trust, Safety, and Infrastructure-Aware AI: Building a Secure Internet for the Next Decade,” with the date 21 October 2026 centered near the bottom.
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On Wednesday, 21 October 2026, at 12:00-13:00 EDT (16:00-17:00 UTC), the Marconi Society will host a webinar ‘Trust, Safety, and Infrastructure-Aware AI: Building a Secure Internet for the Next Decade‘. With AI becoming deeply embedded in cloud, edge, and network infrastructure, the stakes for trust, safety, and operational resilience have risen dramatically. The next few years will be defined not only by model-level safeguards but also by governance, observability, and resilience of the infrastructure that powers AI systems at scale. This webinar responds directly to that challenge by sitting at the intersection of three critical themes prioritized by the Marconi Society this year: Trust & Safety, Infrastructure & Energy Transformation, and Internet Resilience. By bringing together industry leaders and cross-sector experts, attendees will learn how the world’s most relied-upon cloud and edge platforms approach trust and safety, what new risks are emerging, and how organizations can prepare for a future in which AI and critical infrastructure are inseparable.

PANELISTS
David Bray – 2026 Institute Award Recipient for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence
David B. Cross – CISO, Atlassian

MODERATOR
Jeff Collins – Global Director for Trust and Safety, AWS

HOST
John Janowiak – President & CEO, Marconi Society

#TrustAndSafety #AI #InternetResilience #Infrastructure

7:04 am on July 31, 2026 · 2026 (279), age verification (5), igf (240), online safety (31), social media (18)

RECAP 8 JUL 2026 – IGF DC CRiDE – To Ban or Not to Ban – How to Protect Children Online?

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A graphic with a light blue background promoting an Internet Governance Forum Dynamic Coalition on Children’s Rights in the Digital Environment webinar. The IGF Dynamic Coalition logo appears in the upper left, while the word “Webinar” is positioned in the upper right in dark blue. Centered prominently is the title, “To Ban or Not to Ban,” followed by the subtitle, “How to Protect Children Online?” in a lighter-weight blue font. The date, “8 July 2026,” is shown in bold at the lower left. At the lower right is the credit “Archived by ISOC.LIVE.” The clean, minimalist design uses ample white space and dark blue typography against the pale blue background.

A graphic with a light blue background promoting an Internet Governance Forum Dynamic Coalition on Children’s Rights in the Digital Environment webinar. The IGF Dynamic Coalition logo appears in the upper left, while the word “Webinar” is positioned in the upper right in dark blue. Centered prominently is the title, “To Ban or Not to Ban,” followed by the subtitle, “How to Protect Children Online?” in a lighter-weight blue font. The date, “8 July 2026,” is shown in bold at the lower left. At the lower right is the credit “Archived by ISOC.LIVE.” The clean, minimalist design uses ample white space and dark blue typography against the pale blue background.
VIDEO | AUDIO | RECAP | ARCHIVE | PERMALINK

On 8 July 2026, the Dynamic Coalition on Children’s Rights in the Digital Environment (DC CRiDE) hosted a webinar ‘To Ban or Not to Ban – How to Protect Children Online?‘.
With the enforcement of a social media age ban for under 16s in Australia in December 2025, a global discussion started on the important topic of how children and youth can participate safely in the digital environment and what measures are necessary to protect them meaningfully when being online. From Brazil to India, in the UK and the EU, in many parts of the world politicians, civil society, psychologists, and media researchers argue about strategies, legislation and accountabilities. These also affect digital services providers, educators and carers as well as parents and children.

In this webinar we heard from Amanda Third on the current situation in Australia and the learnings from a ban being in force for half a year now, got a child rights framing by Sonia Livingstone and gained insights into the work of the EU Special Panel and heard the recommendations of the German expert panel and the outcomes of a child participation process by Jutta Croll and Torsten Krause.
Attendees were invited to share perspectives from their respective countries and/or points of view.

SPEAKERS
Amanda Third – Professor, Western Sydney University
Sonia Livingstone – Professor, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
Jutta Croll – Chair of the Board, Stiftung Digitale Chancen
Torsten Krause – Co-Chair of DC CRiDE / Stiftung Digitale Chancen
MODERATOR
Salla Huikuri, Ph.D. – Co-Chair of DC CRiDE / ECPAT International

#ChildrenOnline #ChildRights #OnlineSafety #IGF

4:00 pm on July 21, 2026 · 2026 (279), Nominet (1), online safety (31)

WEBINAR 4 AUG 14:00 UTC – Nominet Internet Safety Programme 2026 Funding

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A clean event graphic with a warm golden-yellow background. On the left, the event title is set in bold black sans-serif type above a thin horizontal divider, with the date beneath. On the right, a large metallic medieval-style shield is overlaid on angular magenta and purple chevron shapes, creating a strong visual association with protection and security. The layout is spacious and balanced, with high contrast and minimal decorative elements.

A clean event graphic with a warm golden-yellow background. On the left, the event title is set in bold black sans-serif type above a thin horizontal divider, with the date beneath. On the right, a large metallic medieval-style shield is overlaid on angular magenta and purple chevron shapes, creating a strong visual association with protection and security. The layout is spacious and balanced, with high contrast and minimal decorative elements.
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On Tuesday, 4 August 2026 at 15:00-15:45 BST (14:00-14:45 UTC), Nominet hosts an  Internet Safety Programme 2026 Funding Webinar.

Nominet will soon call for proposals to its Internet Safety Programme, and this session introduces the call, shares the research that informed it, and explains how organisations can apply. It is aimed at non-profit organisations with expertise in children and young people’s online safety, and at organisations that build, operate, influence, or set standards impacting how the internet works. Nominet is seeking joint proposals across these communities. Attendees will hear about the research shaping the call, the sorts of initiatives Nominet is keen to fund, and how the application process will work.

#InternetSafety #OnlineSafety #Nominet

1:01 am on June 30, 2026 · 2026 (279), age verification (5), canada (26), itif (9), online safety (31), social media (18)

WEBINAR 7 JUL 23:30 UTC – ITIF – Lessons For Canada from Australia’s Social Media Ban

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Blue promotional graphic from the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and the Centre for Canadian Innovation and Competitiveness. The ITIF logo appears at top left and the Centre for Canadian Innovation and Competitiveness logo at top right. Large white text across the center reads: “Lessons For Canada from Australia’s Social Media Ban.” The date “July 7, 2026” appears at bottom left. The background is a dark-to-medium blue gradient with abstract network lines and digital particle patterns suggesting connectivity and technology.

Blue promotional graphic from the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and the Centre for Canadian Innovation and Competitiveness. The ITIF logo appears at top left and the Centre for Canadian Innovation and Competitiveness logo at top right. Large white text across the center reads: “Lessons For Canada from Australia’s Social Media Ban.” The date “July 7, 2026” appears at bottom left. The background is a dark-to-medium blue gradient with abstract network lines and digital particle patterns suggesting connectivity and technology.
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On Tuesday, 7 July 2026, at 19:30-20:15 EDT (23:00-00:15 UTC), the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) Centre for Canadian Innovation and Competitiveness will continue its 2026 Canada Event Series with a webinar ‘Lessons For Canada from Australia’s Social Media Ban‘.

Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, would prohibit children under 16 from holding social media accounts unless platforms meet safety standards established by a new regulator. The proposal has quickly become one of Canada’s most debated technology policy issues, raising important questions about how governments can best protect young people online.

Australia offers a valuable case study. As policymakers there have pursued similar restrictions, the debate has exposed difficult questions about age verification, platform incentives, and whether limiting access is the most effective way to improve online safety.

Guest Lucy Thomas, co-founder and CEO of Project ROCKIT, an Australian youth-driven movement against bullying and online harm, will share insights from Australia’s experience and discuss what Canadian policymakers should consider as they evaluate Bill C-34.

SPEAKERS
Lucy Thomas – Co-founder / CEO, Project ROCKIT

HOST / MODERATOR
Lawrence Zhang – Head of Policy, Centre for Canadian Innovation and Competitiveness, ITIF

#CanadaEventSeries2026 #OnlineSafety #AgeVerification #SocialMedia

5:17 am on June 16, 2026 · 2026 (279), chatbots (2), itif (9), kids (14), online safety (31)

WEBINAR 16 JUN 16:00 UTC – ITIF – How to Protect Kids From Chatbots Without Bans

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A promotional graphic for an ITIF webinar on a blue digital-network background. At top left is the white ITIF logo with the text “Information Technology & Innovation Foundation.” Centered prominently in large white type is the title “How to Protect Kids From Chatbots Without Bans.” At lower left is the date “June 16, 2026.” The background features flowing abstract white network lines and nodes across the lower half, suggesting data connectivity and technology.

A promotional graphic for an ITIF webinar on a blue digital-network background. At top left is the white ITIF logo with the text “Information Technology & Innovation Foundation.” Centered prominently in large white type is the title “How to Protect Kids From Chatbots Without Bans.” At lower left is the date “June 16, 2026.” The background features flowing abstract white network lines and nodes across the lower half, suggesting data connectivity and technology.
VIDEO | AUDIO | RECAP | ARCHIVE | PERMALINK

On 16 June 2026, the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF) hosted a webinar ‘How to Protect Kids From Chatbots Without Bans‘.

In the face of growing concerns that children are forming dangerous emotional attachments to AI companions—chatbots that show empathy, ask personal questions, and provide emotional support—many legislators are rushing to ban or severely limit children’s access to these services. Proposals range from strict age verification to outright prohibition. While policymakers have a legitimate interest in protecting children, some of these policies would limit real opportunities to use these tools to benefit children.

ITIF’s panel discussed recently introduced chatbot safety bills up for debate in Congress, including the GUARD Act and CHATBOT Act, and what policymakers, parents, and platforms could do to protect children without bans.

SPEAKERS
Becca Branum – Deputy Director, Free Expression Project, Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT)
Justine Gluck – Policy Analyst, Future of Privacy Forum (FPF)
Juan Londoño – Policy Analyst, Cato Institute
Josh Withrow – Resident Fellow, Technology and Innovation, R Street Institute (RSI)

HOST / MODERATOR
Alex Ambrose – Policy Analyst, ITIF

#AIChatbots #KidsOnline #AIPolicy #ChildSafety

6:48 pm on May 28, 2026 · 2026 (279), ai (66), chatbots (2), data & society (5), online safety (31), wellness (3)

WEBINAR 4 JUN 16:30 UTC – Investigating the Impact of Chatbots on Mental Wellbeing

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Graphic with a dark blue background promoting a research event titled “Investigating the Impact of Chatbots on Mental Wellbeing.” Across the top are the logos of the Pulitzer Center, The AI Accountability Network, and Data & Society in white. Centered in the image is the event title in large dark blue text inside a rounded white rectangle. At the bottom, white text displays the date: “June 4, 2026.”

Graphic with a dark blue background promoting a research event titled “Investigating the Impact of Chatbots on Mental Wellbeing.” Across the top are the logos of the Pulitzer Center, The AI Accountability Network, and Data & Society in white. Centered in the image is the event title in large dark blue text inside a rounded white rectangle. At the bottom, white text displays the date: “June 4, 2026.”
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On Thursday, 4 June 2026, at 12:30-13:30 EDT (16:30-17:30 UTC), the Pulitzer Center will host the AI Accountability Network and Data & Society for a webinar ‘Investigating the Impact of Chatbots on Mental Wellbeing‘.

AI Accountability Network Fellow Patricia Clarke, author of ‘An AI Risk to Mental Health‘, and Data & Society researchers Livia Garofalo and Briana Vecchione, authors of ‘All the Lonely People,’ will discuss how engagement with chatbots is impacting the mental wellbeing of users worldwide, and what needs to be better understood about the ways that chatbots are designed, and how interactions with chatbots can lead users to feel increased loneliness and emotional dependency.

SPEAKERS
Patricia Clarke – Technology Editor, The Observer UK
Livia Garofalo, PhD/MPH – Researcher, Data & Society Research Institute
Briana Vecchione – Researcher, Data & Society Research Institute

#AI #MentalHealth #Chatbots #AIAccountability

4:44 pm on May 4, 2026 · 2026 (279), online safety (31), seniors (6)

WEBINAR 28 MAY 18:00 UTC – Helping Older Adults Stay Safe Online: Tips and Resources

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Promotional banner from the National Cybersecurity Alliance titled “Helping Older Adults Stay Safe Online: Tips and Resources.” Date shown: May 28, 2026. Illustration features an older person seated on a park bench, a large paper airplane flying overhead, and a black bird in motion, with scattered documents in the background—suggesting themes of communication, information flow, and potential online risks.

Promotional banner from the National Cybersecurity Alliance titled “Helping Older Adults Stay Safe Online: Tips and Resources.” Date shown: May 28, 2026. Illustration features an older person seated on a park bench, a large paper airplane flying overhead, and a black bird in motion, with scattered documents in the background—suggesting themes of communication, information flow, and potential online risks.
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On Thursday 28 May 2026, at 14:00 EDT (18:00 UTC) the National Cybersecurity Alliance hosts a webinar ‘Helping Older Adults Stay Safe Online: Tips and Resources‘. In honor of Older Americans Month, this session will take a closer look at the tactics criminals use, like impersonation scams and fraudulent phone calls, and explain why these approaches are so effective. real-world examples will show how scammers create urgency, build trust, and manipulate emotions to gain access to money and personal information.

The session will also highlight the important role banks play in protecting customers. Learn about resources that financial institutions offer to help monitor for unusual activity, flag potential fraud, and prevent losses, also what happens if a scam does occur, and how to access community support.

SPEAKER
Sam Kunjukunju – Vice President, Consumer Education, American Bankers Association

HOST / MODERATOR
Cliff Steinhauer – Director of Information Security & Engagement, National Cybersecurity Alliance

1:29 pm on May 4, 2026 · 2026 (279), nca (2), online safety (31)

VIDEO 6 MAY 2026 – Small Business, Big Target: How to Avoid Small Business Scams

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Promotional banner from the National Cybersecurity Alliance titled “Small Business, Big Target: How to Avoid Small Business Scams.” Date shown: May 6, 2026. Background image depicts a storefront or office engulfed in flames, with two silhouetted figures standing outside and debris flying through the air, creating a dramatic visual metaphor for risk and threat.

Promotional banner from the National Cybersecurity Alliance titled “Small Business, Big Target: How to Avoid Small Business Scams.” Date shown: May 6, 2026. Background image depicts a storefront or office engulfed in flames, with two silhouetted figures standing outside and debris flying through the air, creating a dramatic visual metaphor for risk and threat. VIDEO | PERMALINK

On 6 May 2026,the National Cybersecurity Alliance hosted a webinar ‘Small Business, Big Target: How to Avoid Small Business Scams‘.

Scammers don’t just attack the S&P 500—small businesses are one of a cybercriminal’s favorite targets. This special Small Business Week webinar broke down the most common scams hitting small businesses right now, from fake invoices to business email compromise to impersonation attacks, walking through practical steps and behaviors that can be adopted immediately to protect businesses, employees, and customers.

SPEAKERS
Andrew Rayo – Chief of Staff, Division of Consumer and Business Education, Federal Trade Commission
Lizz Hellinga – Assistant State Director, Technology Strategy and Operations, Michigan Small Business Development Center

HOST / MODERATOR
Cliff Steinhauer – Director of Information Security & Engagement, National Cybersecurity Alliance
 

#StaySafeOnline #OnlineSafety #SmallBusiness

11:05 am on April 30, 2026 · 2026 (279), online safety (31)

RECAP 1 MAY 2026 – Unlocking the Safer Internet Initiative

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Promotional banner for an Internet Society Online Safety Community webinar titled “Unlocking the Safer Internet Initiative.” The design features a dark blue background with a stylized digital padlock icon encircled by glowing turquoise rings on the right, suggesting cybersecurity and protection. On the left, large white text displays the event title, with “1 May 2026” shown below. The Internet Society logo appears at the top, and “Archived by ISOC.LIVE” is noted near the bottom. Subtle circuit-like lines decorate the lower right corner, reinforcing the technology theme.

Promotional banner for an Internet Society Online Safety Community webinar titled “Unlocking the Safer Internet Initiative.” The design features a dark blue background with a stylized digital padlock icon encircled by glowing turquoise rings on the right, suggesting cybersecurity and protection. On the left, large white text displays the event title, with “1 May 2026” shown below. The Internet Society logo appears at the top, and “Archived by ISOC.LIVE” is noted near the bottom. Subtle circuit-like lines decorate the lower right corner, reinforcing the technology theme.
VIDEO | AUDIO | RECAP | ARCHIVE | PERMALINK

On 1 May 2026, the Internet Society Online Safety Community hosted a webinar ‘Unlocking the Safer Internet Initiative‘. The Internet is only as strong as it is safe and now more than ever, we need collective action. The Internet Society Safer Internet Initiative is a global program focused on strengthening online trust and safety through capacity building, funding for cybersecurity efforts, and community-led action worldwide.

SPEAKERS
Dan York – Senior Director, Online Trust and Safety, Internet Society
Jeff Wilbur – Senior Director, Online Trust, Internet Society
Kevin Chege – Senior Director, Internet Development, Internet Society
John Perrino – Senior Policy and Advocacy Expert, Internet Society
Eunice Alejandra Pérez Coello – Docente, Instituto Tecnológico de Mérida

HOST/MODERATOR
Godsway Kubi – Lead Facilitator, Internet Society Online Safety Community


#SaferInternet #OnlineSafety #InternetSociety #DigitalTrust #Cybersecurity