Open Tech Calendar

Guest of Honour: Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England

Following the launch of the Children’s Commissioner’s Digital Taskforce, which is bringing together policy, legal and technology experts, along with educationalists to examine the challenges and opportunities for children in the digital world, and is due to report by the end of 2016.

The conference provides stakeholders with an opportunity to discuss latest thinking on the relationship between young people, digitalisation and the internet, and consider the progress to date of the iRights initiative - established in 2015 and which brings together members of civil society, business and government with the aim of creating a new framework for empowering young people online.

Those attending will consider the impact of digital technology on childhood development, including for digital literacy, cognition and ‘school readiness’. They will also examine the growth of social technology and the implications for children’s behaviour and wellbeing, as well as address concerns surrounding sexting, cyberbullying and online safety.

At this early stage, we are delighted that Anne Longfield, Children’s Commissioner for England has agreed to be a Guest of Honour at this seminar. James Davies, Managing Director, Childwise; Emily Keaney, Senior Research Manager, Ofcom; John Kent, Digital Product Consultant, The Children’s Media Foundation; Professor Jackie Marsh, Professor of Education, University of Sheffield; Adam Pemberton, Director of Strategy & Performance, Barnardo’s; Vicki Shotbolt, Chief Executive Officer, Parent Zone and Jonathan Baggaley, Head of Education, CEOP have also agreed to speak.

Baroness Kidron, Member, Lords Communications Committee and Danny Kinahan MP, Vice Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Young People and Social Technology have kindly agreed to chair this seminar.