Why Aura’s Latest Online Safety Endeavor Strives to Protect Younger Generations–A Message from Aura’s CEO and Founder

I started Aura 7 years ago with a simple goal––to make the internet safer. Since launching Aura in 2017, we’ve made strides in our mission by introducing one of the fastest-growing all-in-one online safety solutions for individuals and families. But, there’s more work to be done.

As a father of four who has spent my career in tech, I’m acutely aware of the increasing role technology plays in our kid’s lives. In recent years at Aura, we’ve introduced tools to help protect kids online, like the ability to filter out content and apps that kids can engage with, and introducing alerts to keep them safe from online predators, scams, and cyberbullying. But, we need more collaboration and innovation in family online safety.?

Being digitally connected is an undeniable part of existence, and with each year, becomes increasingly embedded in our culture. From the pervasiveness of social media to students using novel AI like ChatGPT to assist with assignments, technology is woven into the fabric of our lives.?

These seismic shifts in the way families use technology have given way to clear physical and mental health impacts. Kids ages 8-18 spend more than 7.5 hours a day in front of a screen,* and at the same time, we see increased reports of cyberbullying on social media and while gaming, instances of sleep deprivation, reductions in physical activity, and expanding signs of mental health issues in children.?

That’s why today, we’ve officially launched our Digital Parenthood Initiative: to jumpstart a national conversation around healthy online behaviors and to give parents the resources they need to raise kids who can confidently and safely navigate the online world.

Hosting our first Digital Parenthood Summit in New York City, we’ll gather leaders in research, medicine, child psychology, education and advocacy for the youth experience to bring important kitchen table conversations into a public dialogue. From panels and fireside chats discussing hard hitting topics like cyberbullying and social media use, to whether or not kids should have phones in schools, there will be no shortage of insightful debates. The event will conclude with a NBC Town Hall, “Digital Parenting: Raising the AI Generation." Featuring real parents and teens coming together to discuss technology usage, family well-being, and life as we know it with experts and community leaders, it will air at 9:00 pm Eastern on June 4th across NBC News NOW, Peacock , or wherever you stream.?

Finding a solution for these complicated issues will take a village, so to speak. We are so thankful for the partners and speakers who will be joining us to discuss such important topics, including Dr. Becky Kennedy , Lisa Damour, PhD , Jeffrey Katzenberg , and Chrissy Teigen. We look forward to working today and beyond to make impactful changes with the American Academy of Pediatrics , Boston Children's Hospital , Child Mind Institute , Common Sense Media , Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop , Walton Family Foundation , Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence , and others. You can learn more through our press release.

I encourage anyone who has interest in this topic to join us in helping to pave the way for a safer internet for all––this is just the beginning.

- Hari Ravichandran, Aura CEO & Founder

*Kaiser Family Foundation Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8 to 18-Year-Olds