Everyone is talking about diversity and inclusion, but what does it mean for brands and advertisers in the children’s space, and how can companies join this global movement to be a force for positive change? Missed opportunities for inclusion - and even outdated negative stereotyping - still exist in children’s advertising. This panel will kick off with Viacom discussing its Shades of Us research on kids, race, and identity, followed by an exciting discussion on how to thoughtfully and authentically diversify your advertising and avoid negative social stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination. 

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Trying to keep up with the development and evolution of the metaverse while trying to understand new offerings like NFTs in real time is a significant challenge. 3D virtual worlds inhabited by avatars present endless creative possibilities for developers and designers, but for brands experimenting in this new space, especially those with an audience that includes children under age 13, it also presents significant challenges. How do you successfully balance fast-paced creativity and stay on the cutting edge of technological innovation. with compliance?

Kristin Cohen, Acting Associate Director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Division of Privacy and Identity Protections chats with CARU Vice President Mamie Kresses about the year in review and what’s next on the FTC’s radar.

Regulators, think tanks, platforms, advocates, and others here and around the world are engaging in debates about children’s privacy in the digital space. Children are using technology at an early age at home, at school, and at play. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) remains under review at the FTC, and policy makers on Capitol Hill continue to churn out new legislative ideas on how to better protect this vulnerable digital audience. What is the current state of these debates, and with so much uncertainty swirling around, how can companies stay focused on what really matters in children’s privacy in the year ahead?

AI is almost everywhere children are online, from connected toys to video games to adaptive learning software. Because few children (and let’s be honest, few adults) realize their online environment changes based on their behavior patterns, companies need to carefully consider the impact of algorithms they deploy in their products. AI opens the door to incredible possibilities, but if used indiscriminately, it can have negative consequences for children, including the suggestion of harmful content, creating “rabbit holes,” and encouraging unhealthy behaviors. Hear tips from a distinguished panel on how to design with children in mind and avoid these common pitfalls.

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The industry self-regulation process works best in collaboration with and adjacency to federal and state laws and regulations. Since its birth in 1974, CARU has been seen by policymakers as key to protecting children from irresponsible advertising practices. In this era of trending challenges that include dark patterns, influencers, emerging platforms, and the immersive metaverse, that is truer than ever. In this keynote session, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor will offer her perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the children’s media landscape, with a particular insight into the policy focus for the year ahead.

The metaverse isn’t the only game in town. Streaming services, influencer channels, platforms, and other multimedia formats for advertising today present great opportunities for brands and advertisers if they know how to navigate it. What are the rules of the road as advertisers and content providers continue to innovate in these increasingly prevalent media formats?

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The CARU team will walk attendees through the regulatory and self-regulatory actions and initiatives that are making headlines and shaping the children’s advertising and privacy landscape of today and tomorrow. Explore recent cases, gain best practices from the team behind the monitoring, and learn more about CARU’s focus for the year ahead.