Comments on: Can start-up Wired Trust build a Web 2.0 safety net?

A group of Internet safety experts plans to announce a new start-up aimed at helping social networks provide safer Web 2.0 environments for kids and adults.

[anspn]

trying to get past the ridiculous comment made..

the biggest issue is that there is a conflict of interest..these people aftab et al have made a name for themselves by being non-profit watchdogs...now they are going to leverage the power they have gained to make money for themselves - therein lies the dilemma.

[Safety_Researcher]

This?ll be a giant leap forward in assuring safety in the exploding Social Network and Virtual World environments. Having some of the leading experts in the world ?kicking the tires? on these technologies and the privacy and security practices of the companies that deploy them will move the Web 2.0 world from the wild, wild west to the more secure world we demand for our children and youth.

I?ve heard Parry speak at a couple of conferences and she?s always indicated that she earns her living by consulting on safety in the technology space. The work she does with the charity she founded is all unpaid work that she and 11,000+ other volunteers do for those who need help on the internet. I believe starting WiredTrust this is one of the best things that she could have done for both her mission in protecting children and in helping technology companies. I believe it?ll also help advance the state of the Web 2.0 industry. It?s brilliant!!!

[onlineyoda]

How can making sites as safe as possible be a conflict? Do you realize that Parry is an unpaid volunteer at wiredsafety.org? WiredTrust doies what a charity can't. It can advise companies on fixing problems. It can help spot them before they become problems. A watchdog group is there to help make things safer. They only blow the whistle when those they watch don't respond to to suggestions to comply to safety standards. This plan, apparently, will help them comply and do a better job.


This consutling company completes the process of creating a safer Web 2.0 environment. Running the world's largest cybersafety and help group helps consumers one at a time and helps guide the industry to doing a better job. But it's not the role of a charity staffed enitrely by unpaid volunteers to consult for the industry.

I wonder if you know that privacy settings on myspace were put there at her request years ago. She has done so much in her charitable role. She can do more within a consulting environment. And she won't give up her unpaid work running the charity.

There was a gap between what the Web 2.0 industry needs to know and what they know. This takes things a step further...while Parry will donate her time helping to protect and help families and consumers, Wiredtrust can help the networks build safer practices so the consumers and families face fewer risks.

conflict by making everyone safer and more secure? We need more conflicts like this. :-)