Posted by Jacqueline BeauchereDirector, Trustworthy Computing Communications, Microsoft
Unlike their parents who went back to school with new notebooks, pens, pencils, and binders, today’s young people are likely readying for the coming academic year with laptops, tablets and mobile phones. But, before parents arm kids with the latest Internet-enabled devices, it’s a good idea to share some do’s and don’ts about online safety.
Whether it’s a new laptop for research and writing, a tablet for reading, or a mobile phone to get in touch with mom or dad in the event of an emergency, kids are using mobile technology more than ever. Data show that 52 percent of kids ages eight to 12, and 77 percent between 12 and 17, own mobile phones, with teenagers 14 to 17 sending an average of 100 text messages a day.
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Posted by Jeff MeisnerEditor, Microsoft on the Issues
In this edition of The Week in Tech Policy, we have stories on the Federal Communications Commission’s new broadband progress report, wireless spectrum and California’s new Location Privacy Act.
Federal Communications Commission issues new broadband report. “The nation has made significant progress expanding high-speed Internet access in recent years, but further implementation of major reforms newly adopted by the Federal Communications Commission is required before broadband will be available to the approximately 19 million Americans who still lack access,” according to the eighth FCC broadband progress report. The agency’s report, which was covered by various news outlets and blogs, including CNET, goes on to emphasize broadband access as essential to “innovation, jobs and global competitiveness.”
Posted by Fred HumphriesVice President, U.S. Government Affairs, Microsoft
This summer, the people of the United States will look to Charlotte and Tampa as political leaders from across the country gather to lay out their vision for the future. Younger voters in particular have a stake in the course that will be charted in each city. They remain a pivotal voting block for the candidate who will best address their issues and concerns regarding jobs, education, political accountability and how to face the nation’s biggest challenges.
Microsoft has been named an official innovation provider of the 2012 Democratic National Convention and Committee for Charlotte 2012. This new relationship builds on Microsoft’s long-term partnership with the City of Charlotte to help youth realize new opportunities through educational development and support.
As an official innovation provider, Microsoft will streamline communications and enhance the convention experience for both convention organizers and participants through innovative, collaborative technology solutions like Office 365, consulting and support services, and – through our work with convention organizers and partner Interknowlogy – a touch-enabled Windows application that will allow convention delegates to cast floor votes on kiosks throughout the convention hall.
In this edition of The Week in Tech Policy, we’ve included stories on making political donations via wireless texting, spectrum sharing, post-secondary financial aid and jobs data and more.
Federal Election Commission clears the way for political donations via wireless text. Americans are one step closer to being able to make political contributions via their phones’ text messaging capabilities, Bloomberg recently reported. On Aug. 15, the FEC ruled that wireless carriers would not be responsible for potentially fraudulent campaign donations and “and could refuse text-donation services to campaigns if they are not deemed commercially viable,” according to Bloomberg. The FEC’s move comes in the wake of concern expressed by the wireless industry earlier in August, as reported by NPR and others.