At both Microsoft and across the online safety landscape, 2014 marked a year of transition and evolution. The “darker side of the Web” came more fully into view and new voices joined the dialogue, leading several to predict that even more progress may be in store in the year ahead.
“For me, 2014 was about moving away from a fear-based, risk-centric approach to online safety to acknowledging that ‘building digital resilience’ is a key way forward in 2015 in terms of research, tools, guidance and skills,” said one online safety expert from the U.K.
“Believe, be persistent and things will happen,” added a Microsoft colleague, focused on internal online safety operations. “There’s nothing more rewarding than safe kids!”
With the year drawing to a close, I reached out to a number of colleagues both inside and outside the company, asking for three words (or so) that they thought summed up 2014 for both online safety and child online protection. Other suggestions included, “security, privacy and freedom from harassment;” “evangelism, transition and (making a) difference;” “(online) rights and responsibilities,” and “huge progress made as a result of multi-stakeholder working,” followed by the admission: “I had trouble with just three words!”
Personal highlights include leading an internal, family safety-focused “hackathon” project; a memorable collaboration with the Born This Way Foundation, a new role at the Internet Governance Forum and an invitation to join INHOPE’s Advisory Board. The year culminated with an opportunity to represent Microsoft at, and address, the global #WePROTECT Children Online Summit, as London, Brussels and other international capitals shine a bright spotlight on these significant issues.
Another key point for me this year was my return to the Legal and Corporate Affairs department after more than 10 years in other areas of Microsoft. Perhaps not dissimilar to some tech industry counterparts, I’m now leading online safety not only in cooperation with my attorney colleagues, but from within the legal organization itself.
Looking ahead, there’s always more to be done — to raise awareness; educate individuals and families; seek and find help from technology, and guide the world along a continuum of behavioral change that will hopefully lead to safer online habits and practices for all. Next year will be no exception.
In 2015, Microsoft will continue to advance the capability and adoption of our technology tools; partner with others; participate in and help to sponsor a variety of international forums, and promote new initiatives and campaigns. One significant project involves sharing compelling research by the Internet Watch Foundation about self-generated indecent images taken by young people. I’ve alluded to this work for a few months now. We will soon reveal the findings, and hopefully they will serve as a basis for further thought, research and discussion about a delicate topic and a disturbing trend.
Global multi-stakeholder cooperation is one 2014 theme that I trust will continue to be prominent next year. From the Digitally Connected Symposium at Harvard and IGF 2014, to the U.K. government’s call for intense global cooperation among governments, the technology industry, law enforcement and NGOs, the need for public-private partnerships to help tackle these issues has never been greater. For Microsoft, we pledge to continue to do our part.
So, as 2014 comes to a close, let’s look to Safer Internet Day 2015 and beyond to discover fresh and innovative ways to “create a better Internet together.” For more information about Microsoft’s work in Online Safety, visit our Safety & Security Center; “like” us on Facebook; follow us on Twitter, and look for my “point of view” following the #MSFTCOSO hashtag.