At last week's FOSI conference, I served as moderator for the panel, "What the Research is Telling Us." After delivering brief introductory remarks, I introduced the speakers:  Amanda Lenhart (Senior Research Specialist, Pew Internet and American Life Project) and Sonia Livingstone (Professor of Social Psychology in the Department of Media and Communications, London School of Economics and Political Science).  They  presented the statistics regarding online predators, cyber bullying, and inappropriate content and contacts online.  I followed their presentations with a question regarding Internet user's awareness of the lack of privacy for their personal information and photos online, particularly on social networks.

I believe the research information presented by these two experts is so important for anyone working on online safety.  We need to understand what kids are experiencing online before we can determine the best way to protect them.

Both of their presentations are now available online:

American Teens and Online Safety
EU Kids Online