Craig Newmark Philanthropies and Common Sense Media Join Forces to Advance Awareness and Advocacy for AI, Cybersecurity, and Tech Safety

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 6, 2023—Craig Newmark Philanthropies and Common Sense Media announced today a partnership to help shape tech policies and practices that protect children, families, and American democracy from the harmful side effects of advanced and emerging technologies. Funding from Craig Newmark Philanthropies will contribute to Common Sense's first-ever AI ratings and reviews system and an AI literacy program built for K–12 classrooms. The partnership also supports Common Sense's promotion of greater awareness around cybersecurity for teachers, students, and parents of K–12 students. And the grant will also support Common Sense's long-standing leadership role on data privacy and platform accountability policy advocacy.

"Craig Newmark and Common Sense Media have a shared interest in ensuring that advanced technology is safe and secure, and is designed and implemented with the safeguards needed to protect children, teens, their families, and our democracy," said Jim Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, the nation's leading kids and technology nonprofit. "Craig's deep knowledge and leadership in cybersecurity and other areas of tech policy are critical in helping to ensure that the benefits of tech can be harnessed by all—and with the least harm to children and our democracy."

Craig Newmark, best known as the founder of craigslist and Craig Newmark Philanthropies, called the partnership a critical step in developing needed safeguards around tech.

"I believe in the work that Common Sense Media is doing to educate Americans about powerful technologies that offer so much promise but at the same time can, and in many cases already do, inflict chaos and harm on our society," said Newmark. "I encourage other funders to support them, and I look forward to partnering with Common Sense and other Craig Newmark Philanthropies' expert grantees to defend our future."

In April 2022, Newmark announced a major initiative to strengthen U.S. cybersecurity, called the Cyber Civil Defense Program. Earlier this year, Common Sense announced it will assess AI products across a number of features, including responsible AI practices and suitability for children, with a special focus on products used by kids and educators. Common Sense is widely recognized for its long-standing ratings and reviews systems, which inform media and tech choices for parents of young children and teens, and evaluate the privacy policies of edtech products. The first AI ratings are expected by the end of September, and the first AI literacy program is expected in mid-October. Earlier this summer, Common Sense released additional cybersecurity lesson plans, along with a guide for teachers on how to teach cybersecurity.

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About Common Sense
Common Sense is the nation's leading nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in the 21st century. Learn more at commonsense.org.

About Craig Newmark Philanthropies
Craig Newmark is a Web pioneer, philanthropist, and leading advocate. Most commonly known for founding the online classified ads service craigslist, Newmark works to support and connect people and drive broad civic engagement. In 2016, he founded Craig Newmark Philanthropies to help and protect the people who protect our country. At its core, all of Newmark's philanthropic work helps to strengthen American democracy by supporting the values that the country aspires to—fairness, opportunity, and respect. For more information, please visit CraigNewmarkPhilanthropies.org. Craig can be found sharing his personal perspective on the issues of the day at @craignewmark.

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Natalia Garcia
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