Lucha Sotomayor, distinguished child participation expert and digital rights advocate, joins Laura and Jordan for an impactful conversation on enhancing child safety online. Lucha brings her experiences from her significant role in the United Nations Protection through Online Participation (POP) project, an initiative aimed at utilizing the Internet as a tool for child protection and empowerment. She discusses the intricacies of the project and how it's changing the way we understand children's online experiences. Together, they delve into the current dynamics of online youth participation and the proactive measures being implemented through POP to promote their safety and rights.

Jaspal Sandhu, Executive Vice President at Hopelab, discusses the organization's impactful work in youth mental health and well-being. With a strong focus on equity for LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color, Jaspal delves into the positive possibilities of technology and the importance of involving young people as active partners in shaping solutions within the responsible technology movement.

Our guest for this episode of Into the Digital Future is Dr. Melissa C. Mercado, a lead researcher at the CDC who is working to address the challenges of digital harassment and online safety. With Laura and Jordan, Dr. Mercado delves into the world of online bullying, cyberbullying, and their impact on well-being. Melissa highlights the real-life consequences of online violence and emphasizes leveraging online spaces for positive connections and skill-building.

Laura and Jordan are joined by Amanda Third, Associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney and co-author of the UN's Digital Rights of the Child. Amanda shares her participatory research approach that empowers children as active contributors to data on their digital experiences. As part of the Global Kids Online initiative, she highlights the digital challenges kids face and calls for adult support and effective policies. Tune in to understand how we can create a future where children can imaginatively harness digital technology.

Trisha Prabhu, renowned innovator and anti-cyberbullying advocate, joins Laura and Jordan for a powerful discussion on combating digital harassment. Trisha shares insights from her journey as the creator of ReThink, a technology solution designed to detect and deter offensive language before it's posted online. Together, they explore the current landscape of online bullying and the proactive steps being taken by her company and the tech industry to combat them. 

Jennie Ito, a seasoned developmental psychologist and expert in children's media and content appropriateness, joins Laura and Jordan in a compelling conversation on creating safer digital environments for kids. Drawing from her vast experience, which includes spearheading content policy development for kids' experiences on YouTube, Google Play, and her current role at Roblox, Jennie provides a deep dive into the intricacies of age-appropriate digital policy-making. Together, they explore the critical challenges and innovative solutions to ensuring child safety in digital platforms. 

Join Laura and Jordan as they delve into the critical world of online safety with Julie Inman Grant, Australia's esteemed eSafety Commissioner. With her wealth of experience from tech giants like Microsoft, Twitter, and Adobe, Julie brings a unique perspective on internet safety measures and regulations. Learn about her journey leading the eSafety Commission since 2017 and the transformative strides they've made under the newly created global online safety regulators network. Together, they discuss the current state of online harm and the proactive strategies being implemented by the commission to safeguard Australians in the digital realm (and a couple of fun stories about Bill Gates). 

Dr. Hina Talib, a pediatrician and adolescent medicine specialist, joins Laura and Jordan for an enlightening discussion on raising teenagers in the digital age. They delve into the impact of technology on youth well-being, emphasizing the need for open conversations and listening. Dr. Talib highlights the importance of understanding individual experiences and fostering positive online communities. The conversation touches on age verification, content moderation, and the often-overlooked topics of sleep and movement. With valuable insights and practical advice, the discussion provides a thoughtful guide navigating the complexities of parenting teens in the digital world.