Digital Economy Best Practices 2023
Parry Aftab, Esq.
Founder, The Cybersafety Group
Parry is a digital privacy and security lawyer and has advised the digital industries, networks and nations on digital policy and best practices. She also advises families, youth, educators and at-risk groups on cybersafety and privacy. The first book for parents on cybersafety was authored by her in 1996.
In 1995 Parry founded the world’s first cybersafety and help group with volunteers in 76 countries. Her cyberbullying and sexting/sextortion /revenge-porn work began in 1995 and provides advice that is informed by youth, parents, at-risk demographic groups, victim assistance groups and risk-management professionals.
All of her non-profit work is conducted as an unpaid volunteer.
Her expertise is wide-ranging, from advising on the design and implementation of COPPA, to training children and caregivers on safer digital use, to testifying before Congress on “Weaponizing the Internet and Digital Radicalization.” She is often referred to as the cybersafety “historian.”
Parry is an “educate, don’t legislate” fan. She has always been a staunch supporter of responsible use, parents (not governments) deciding what their children’s can access and making sure that the Internet is accessible to everyone, regardless of physical-abilities, income, race, rural connectivity or national-origin.
Her consulting firm advises trusted brands, well-funded start-ups and governments. And she often advises the advisors. Vint Cerf invited her to his People-Centered Internet NGO and Parry also served as IEEE’s Cybersafety Advisor.
Her newest venture, The Cybersafety Group, is designed to identify and vet digital best practices standards, train and certify moderation teams and professionalize the trust and safety ecosystem. TCSG also brings young people (from 7 to 18) together with experts in the field to provide insight from a youth perspective. It will also collaborate with grass roots organizations, industry experts, social scientists and policymakers to address the digital aspects of UN’s Sustainable Development Goals for vulnerable groups.
Parry has been honored by the US Congress, received the President’s Service Award from the Clinton White House, the Child Recovery Award from the Canadian RCMP, and the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award from then FBI Director Mueller. Twenty-five years ago UNESCO appointed her to head its Internet crimes against children initiative for the US.
Parry served on the 27-member Internet Safety Technical Task Force (ISTTF) and NTIA’s 24-member Online Safety Technology Working Group (OSTWG) to advise Congress. She was one of five founding members of Facebook’s safety advisory board (leaving several years ago), sits on MTV’s public affairs advisory board, was an appointee to X-Box’s advisory board and was appointed to Sesame Street Online’s advisory board. She also served on the board of directors for both TRUSTe and Fair Play.
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