The explosion in the use of technology and online social media has led to many new opportunities for children and teens who are able to explore virtual worlds beyond their real physical boundaries. There are clear educational and developmental opportunities in such ready access to information and online friends. But these rapid changes are also raising new questions and concerns for parents who worry about the potential harm new communication technologies could be doing to their children. FSN produces this TV report for CCTV English.
Obviously this is a short introduction to some of these complex issues and can't possibly incorporate all the very varied and complex issues related to this fast-changing world. The two interviewees in this video are important authorities on these issues.
James Steyer is the CEO and founder of Common Sense Media. His organization provides parents with tons of advice on its website thus avoiding the need to shoot a laptop! Follow on twitter @CommonSenseNews. James has also written a book on these issues called Talking Back to Facebook.
For greater depth in the analysis of current trends, Amanda Lenhart is a great person to follow. she works at the Pew Internet and American Life Project which has years of good research published on its website. She's also on twitter @Amanda_Lenhart.
Many thanks to the Hwang family for allowing us to film in their home.
Nina-Maria Potts and I spent the day at the Supreme Court reporting on its decision to dismiss the appeal, but allow an application for the case to be re-opened.
The Ugandan government has announced that it will try former Lord's' Resistance Army intelligence chief Ceasar Acellam in a civil process. Chief of Public Prosecutions Richard Buteera said that Ceasar Acellam "will be investigated and the prosecution of the case will be taken on its merit and on the basis of evidence available." Acellam is the most senior LRA leader ever captured (last May in the Central African Republic). Some have wondered whether the Uganda authorities might have been working out an amnesty deal with him, seeking to clamp down on the activities of the LRA and potentially provide information to help them capture the group's notorious leader Joseph Kony.
Kasper Agger works in Kampala, Uganda with the Enough Project. Here's his blog posting on the capture and here is FSN's interview with him, in which he provides some great background and context for why this capture is so significant.