Teaching kids about privacy

Daniel Solove is the John Marshall Harlan Research Professor of Law at the George Washington University Law School and one of the world’s leading experts on privacy law. He is also the president and CEO of TeachPrivacy, a company that provides computer-based privacy and security training to schools, companies, hospitals, and other organizations around the world. He is the author of The Eyemonger, a children’s book about the importance of privacy.

Topics discussed in this episode: 

Privacy/surveillance, a growing field of research [5:00]What inspired Solove to write a children’s book about privacy [6:57]What is an Eyemonger? [10:00]Presenting a serious, potentially scary, subject without frightening kids [13:30]The issue of consent in the context of the story [16:00]If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear — an argument used to support surveillance [17:23]The counter argument in support of privacy [18:08]Privacy gives us the freedom to explore our true selves [22:02]Who is the ultimate audience for this book? [23:19]Need for education for younger children about technology, the internet, and the value of privacy [23:45]General takeaways for parents and teachers — how/when to talk to kids about privacy [25:54]Other issues: potential dangers online, how to respect the privacy of others offline and online [26:55]Resisting the pull to share information online [28:15]The technology (social media, etc.) is not neutral, there are consequences [28:33]

Resources:

The Eyemonger(children’s book by Daniel Solove)Privacy resources for educators and parents (TeachPrivacy)Protecting Your Students’ Privacy Online (IPC fact sheet)Lesson plans from the IPC website:Getting the Toothpaste Back into the Tube: A Lesson on Online Information (grades 6 -8)Know the Deal: The Value of Privacy (grades 6-8)Lesson Plan: Privacy Rights of Children and Teens (grades 9 -12)Do-it-yourself house rules for online privacy (online tool – Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada)Social Smarts: privacy, the Internet and you (graphic novel – Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada)Nothing to Hide: The False Tradeoff Between Privacy and Security (book about privacy law/surveillance by Daniel Solove)Resolution on e-Learning Platforms (guidance for educational authorities – International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners – IPC co-author) Personal Data Protection Competency Framework for School Students (includes foundational learning principles – International Conference of Data Protection and Privacy Commissioners – IPC co-sponsor) 

Info Matters is a podcast about people, privacy and access to information hosted by Patricia Kosseim, Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario. We dive into conversations with people from all walks of life and hear stories about the access and privacy issues that matter most to them. 

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