As smartphones, tablets, and related technologies have become commonplace, children are becoming adept at navigating these devices long before they enter school. At the same time, most conversations about how data privacy and security are deferred until children are in middle and high school, if not older.
In this talk, I’ll highlight key findings from two research projects working to help children and families develop digital literacy, with a focus on developing their understanding of privacy and security risks and how to protect their data online.
Jessica Vitak
I’ll also share some of the games, apps, and formal curriculum we’ve developed over the last eight years to emphasize life-relevant and scaffolded learning that spans the home and school contexts. More information on this and other research can be found at pearl.umd.edu.
Jessica Vitak is a professor in the College of Information and director of the Human-Computer Interaction Lab (HCIL) at the University of Maryland. Her research evaluates the privacy and ethical implications of new technologies that collect data in our homes, schools, workplaces, and beyond. She seeks to understand how privacy concerns play a role in technology adoption and use, and she develops tools and resources to help children and adults make more informed decisions when using technology and sharing sensitive data.