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Past Project

Internet Safety Technical Task Force

The Internet Safety Technical Task Force (ISTTF) is a group of Internet businesses, non-profit organizations, academics, and technology companies that have joined together to identify effective tools and technologies to create a safer environment on the Internet for youth. It was created in February 2008 in accordance with the Joint Statement on Key Principles of Social Networking Safety announced by the Attorneys General Multi-State Working Group on Social Networking and MySpace in January 2008. The scope of the ISTTF’s inquiry is to consider those technologies that industry and end users can utilize to keep children safe on the Internet, with the bulk of the Task Force's attention concentrated on issues concerning contact: preventing harmful contact with adults, preventing harmful contact with other minors (including cyber bullying and sexual predation), and identity theft. As time allows, we will also address two content areas: preventing access to inappropriate content and preventing illegal content (such as child pornography). The solutions to be considered will include a broad range of technology tools and services. The Task Force recognizes also the importance of other solutions -– such as social norms, law, policy, and market factors –- and will situate technology-based solutions within the context of these other types of solutions. The Task Force submitted its Final Report to the Attorneys General in December, 2008.

This project is sponsored in part by Newscorp/Myspace, MTV Networks/Viacom, Symantec, Turner Broadcasting, Loopt, Linden Lab, Microsoft, AOL, and AT&T.


Our Work 10

Publication
Oct 29, 2019

Youth and Cyberbullying

Another Look

Examining the changing landscape of bullying while acknowledging the convergence between the online and offline world.

News
Nov 1, 2011

New Paper: Why parents help their children lie to Facebook about age: Unintended consequences of the COPPA

Authored by danah boyd, Eszter Hargittai, Jason Schultz, and John Palfrey

The Berkman Center for Internet & Society is pleased to share a new paper published in First Monday, "Why parents help their children lie to Facebook about age: Unintended…

News
Mar 6, 2009

Debating CDA 230

An exchange between John Palfrey and Adam Thierer concerning tweaking Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act was published today in Ars Technica...

Event
Feb 3, 2009 @ 12:30 PM

ISTTF: Enhancing Child Safety and Online Technologies

John Palfrey, danah boyd, Dena Sacco, Laura DeBonis

John Palfrey, danah boyd, Dena Sacco, Laura DeBonis, directors of the recently concluded Internet Safety Technical Task Force, discuss the findings and recommendations from the…

News
Jan 14, 2009

Internet Safety Technical Task Force Releases Final Report on Enhancing Child Safety and Online Technologies

The Berkman Center today released the final report of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force, a group of 29 leading Internet businesses, non-profit organizations, academics, and…

Publication
Jan 14, 2009

Enhancing Child Safety and Online Technologies

Final Report of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force to the Multi-State Working Group on Social Networking of State Attorneys General of the United States

The Internet Safety Technical Task Force was created in February 2008 in accordance with the "Joint Statement on Key Principles of Social Networking Safety" announced in January…

News
Nov 5, 2008

Call for Updated and New Technology Submissions to the Internet Safety Technical Task Force

In the spirit of openness and participation inspired by election day, the Internet Safety Technical Task Force is encouraging your continued participation in its process as it…

Event
Sep 23, 2008 @ 10:00 AM

Internet Safety Technical Task Force (ISTTF) Open Meeting

The Berkman Center hosted a day and a half-long public meeting of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force.

News
Jul 2, 2008

Berkman Center Announces Request for Technical Submissions Related to Child Safety on the Internet

The Request for Technical Submissions asks companies, non-profits, and individuals with technologies relevant to child safety online to submit a detailed description that will…

News
Feb 28, 2008

The Berkman Center Announces Formation of Internet Safety Task Force to Identify and Develop Online Safety Tools

More than 20 Organizations including AOL, AT&T, Comcast, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, MySpace, NCMEC, Symantec, Verizon and Yahoo! Join Task Force.

Berkman Center To Lead New Task Force Comprised of Prominent Internet Businesses, Non-Profits, Academics and Technology Companies.


Related Projects & Tools 01

Youth and Media

Youth and Media (YaM) encompasses an array of research, advocacy, and development initiatives around youth (age 12-18) and digital technology.