As part of its ongoing capacity-building efforts in public policy related to the Internet, School on Internet Governance Japan (SIG-Japan) will host a seminar focused on digital literacy from a global perspective.
The event is supported by the Cyber Kyoto Research Lab of the Kyoto College of Graduate Studies for Informatics (KCGI), which is committed to creating a safe and secure internet environment and actively engages in youth empowerment and community initiatives. As the registry the “.kyoto” , KCGI is deeply involved in promoting responsible digital infrastructure and governance, both locally and globally.
The seminar also aligns with the goals of Digital Positive Action, a public-private partnership initiative led by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), aimed at improving ICT literacy and fostering safer, more informed use of the Internet and social media. As Japan’s first professional graduate school dedicated to IT human resource development, KCGI supports this vision by fostering ethical awareness and critical literacy among students and young adults. This seminar is designed to provide participants with key insights into the role of digital platforms in protecting and supporting youth, contributing to a safer and more inclusive information environment.
The program will feature Emma Leiken, Global Head of Youth Safety and Well-being Policy at TikTok, and examine platform responsibilities and emerging global standards in youth digital wellbeing policy, including issues related to data privacy, safety-by-design, and technology’s ethical development. The seminar will serve as an educational platform, equipping students with essential knowledge and practical skills for safe and responsible engagement in today’s digital world.
Speaker:
Emma Leiken
Emma is a cross-sector technology policy leader with a commitment to youth online safety and media literacy. She currently leads the Global Youth Safety and Wellbeing Policy team on TikTok's Trust and Safety team out of New York City. Before that, Emma led work on Youth Safety and Technology Policy at Omidyar Network. While there, she co-founded the Responsible Technology Youth Power Fund, a multi-million 15-funder pooled fund looking to support youth leaders working on responsible technology design, policy and advocacy. She holds a B.A. in religion from Oberlin College and an M.A. in international development with a focus on technology from the London School of Economics. Emma serves on the board Cyber Collective, the advisory board of the Center for Intimacy Justice, and was a 2023-2024 non-resident Technology Policy Fellow with UC Berkeley.
