A panel of experts convened before the FCC yesterday to talk national broadband strategy and online safety. The clear consensus: While there are roles for government and industry, the best solutions are rooted in consumer education.
Adam Thierer, Director, Center for Digital Media Freedom and Senior Fellow at the Progress and Freedom Foundation, offered promising news. In his research, he has found no correlation between online safety concerns and broadband adoption. Thierer cited household media rules, parental controls and outstanding benefits of broadband as reasons for this positive outcome.
Facebook’s Director of Public Policy, Timothy Sparapani, urged the FCC to maintain perspective, since many stories of online safety violations are sensationalized. “Every day people share 1 billion pieces of themselves without incident on Facebook.” Therefore, Sparapani believes resources should focus on the most vulnerable populations.
For purposes of the broadband plan, panelists urged a focus on media literacy that reflects changing expectations of privacy among different generations. Schools, educators and parents must help guide this mission by helping people find the best that the Internet has to offer. Industry should continue to provide technical and other solutions in today’s rapidly changing environment. Finally, the government must continue public awareness campaigns like OnGuard Online. Through this concerted and collaborative effort, we can have a safe and thriving Internet.
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September 21st, 2009 at 4:36 pm
[...] him note the importance of broadband-fueled investment and innovation to the future of health care, education, energy and other vital national priorities that a robust, well-managed Internet helps [...]