Mary Kay saw the need and opportunity to provide a digital platform for youth, families and educators that provides all the benefits that technology and social media have to offer.
After founding Yoursphere Media, Inc., Yoursphere.com, the kids’ social network, was created with the direct input and involvement of young people around the world. Yoursphere authentically represents the voice, interests, talents and aspirations of young people. This global community is a platform that allows youth to create, connect and share their thoughts, ideas, social interactions, friendships and interests with the world through "spheres".
Yoursphere for Parents helps bridge the digital literacy gap between parents and their children by providing how-to’s, tools and information that empower parents to help their families have a healthy and positive online experience.
Yoursphere Media’s education nonprofit, FCISER, engages community educators and industry leaders in empowering schools and families with healthy digital solutions.
Mary Kay has been profiled on CNN, BBC, E!, Fox & Friends, Lifetime TV, ABC 20/20 and is a contributor to ABC News. She has appeared in the cyberbullying documentary film Submit the Documentary, and is an expert contributor to Kids In The House. Mary Kay has also been published on Yahoo! Shine, Dr. Laura.com, Wellness.com and many other family-focused websites as the go-to children’s online safety expert for millions of parents. In addition, Mary Kay has provided legal expert witness work and speeches at various venues where the audience ranges from young children to parents.
Mary Kay is a mother of five children.
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Mary Kay’s Story
Technology and social media are wonderful and very necessary tools that offer education, connectivity, creativity and fun opportunities that children, teens and parents should benefit from. Yet, the majority of social networks and apps are adult-intended, drowning out the voice and authentic interests of young people. As a result, the privacy and safety of young people is put at risk far too often.
Parents often lack the knowledge and digital literacy skills that are vital to ensuring a positive online experience for their children. Inspired by families like hers, and her 12-year old daughter who unintentionally put herself at risk online, Mary Kay has dedicated her efforts to providing solutions for families through her work at Yoursphere Media, Inc.
In 2011, Mary Kay received the national Hall of Heroes Award for her commitment to 21st century digital safety, responsibility and awareness. During the same year, she also joined ABC 20/20’s ‘We Find Them’ team as a ‘Web Avenger’, and continues to act as an ABC News contributor by writing articles that educate and inform the public about Internet realities.
Yoursphere.com has received the 2011 PTPA (Parent Tested, Parent Approved) Best Product Award, as well as the 2011 National Mom's Choice Award for "excellence in family-friend media product and services".
In 2012, Yoursphere Media, Inc. expanded with its education nonprofit The Yoursphere Media Foundation and Coalition for Internet Safety Education and Reform (FCISER). FCISER is dedicated to creating a network of community educators that provide children, their parents, schools and communities, with the necessary skills, knowledge and tools they need to have a positive and safer digital experience.
In 2013, Mary Kay will appear in Submit the Documentary, a groundbreaking documentary film about cyberbullying. She also appears as a guest expert for Kids In The House at kidsinthehouse.com.
Mary Kay has just completed her book, which is focused on providing parents with the tools and information they need to help their families live healthy digital lives.
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