I’ve been away for a bit, but I’m back — and this conversation with Megs Shah, co-founder of the Parasol Cooperative, felt like exactly the right episode to return with.

Megs is building technology the way it should have been built from the start: with human safety and agency at the center, not revenue. Under Parasol, Shah built Ruth, an AI tool for survivors of exploitation and abuse. They don’t require accounts. They don’t ask for personally identifiable information. They actively discourage users from sharing it.

That’s rare. And it raised a question I haven’t been able to stop thinking about: why do we accept so much less from every other app our kids are using?

“We have gone to the degree that humans are the product. And we have got to stop doing that.” - Megs Shah, The Parasol Cooperative

Megs also breaks down three principles that she believes should guide all technology design — safety, privacy, and dignity. We talked about what consent actually looks like in a digital world, why your child’s gaming app probably doesn’t need their location, and the difference between parental supervision and surveillance.

Takeaways

* Parents must cultivate trust with their children from an early age.

* Open dialogues about technology and online safety are crucial.

* Understanding the ethical implications of AI is essential for parents.

* Digital safety tools should be used to empower children, not control them.

* Parents should regularly audit their children’s devices and apps.

* Teaching children about consent is vital in both physical and digital interactions.

* Modeling good digital behavior is important for parents.

* AI can be a tool for good, but it requires responsible use.

* Parents should be aware of the data privacy policies of apps their children use.

* The future of technology should prioritize safety and dignity for users.

Food for thought: When did you last audit the apps on your child’s phone together? Or even your own phone?

This episode is going to be worth your time — whether you’re a parent, an educator, or anyone who uses technology (so, everyone).

Happy listening!

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