20/20

Web Avengers: Mary Kay Hoal

PHOTO: Mary Kay Hoal

Mary Kay Hoal is a nationally recognized pioneer in children's online safety. A married mother of five children ranging from 7 to 20 years old, Hoal left a successful global media career to advance safety and privacy for children online. She launched Yoursphere Media Inc., which publishes the kids' social network Yoursphere.com and the parent Internet safety resource site YoursphereForParents.com.

www.yoursphere.com
Mary Kay Hoal View Full Size
PHOTO: Mary Kay Hoal
www.yoursphere.com
Mary Kay Hoal
Avoiding Memorial Day Weekend Health Hazards Watch Video
Alabama Mystery Illness Solved: Confirmed as Cold, Flu Watch Video
6 Celebrity Tips for a Summer Beach Body Watch Video

After immersing herself in numerous online communities, Hoal concluded that the everyday safeguards for children that exist in the physical world don't exist online. In addition, she found that many sites didn't abide by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), nor did they empower children with all the benefits that social media offers, such as connectivity, creativity, education and fun. Instead, children encountered content, people and a culture that showed little regard for their safety, privacy and well-being, and left parents without resources to make sure their family had a safe and positive experience online.

on Twitter, become a fan on Facebook
Commenting on this article is closed.
 
You Might Also Like...
Connect with 20/20
Social Tools Facebook Twitter Twitter Connect with 20/20 YouTube RSS
ABC News Newsletters
 
Today in ABC News
1