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 compromised far too often.
Parents often lack the knowledge and digital literacy skills that are vital to ensuring a positive and healthy digital experience for their children. Inspired by families like hers, and her then 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.
Mary Kay received the national Hall of Heroes Award for her commitment to 21st century digital safety, responsibility and awareness. She also joined ABC 20/20’s “We Find Them” team as a “Web Avenger,” and has been an ABC News contributor by writing articles that educate and inform the public about Internet realities.
Yoursphere has received the PTPA (Parent Tested, Parent Approved) Best Product Award, as well as the National Mom’s Choice Award for “excellence in family-friendly media products and services.”
After these successes, 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 2015, Yoursphere Media, Inc. expanded to include Connectu Media which provides white-labeled communications apps for companies, organizations, clubs, associations, shopping malls, teams and more.
