Privacy Commissioner announces funding for the 2015-6 independent privacy research. Among the winners is Dr. Sonia Chiasson from the School of Computer Science at Carleton University. Her project title "Improving Children’s Mobile Privacy Awareness and Behaviour" was awarded $50,000 in funding Research. Congratulations Dr. Chiasson.

Project Title: Improving Children’s Mobile Privacy Awareness and Behaviour
Organization: Carleton University, School of Computer Science
Project Leader: Sonia Chiasson
Location: Ontario
Funding Amount: $50,000

Project Description: The main purpose of this research is to improve children's understanding of mobile online privacy, enable them to recognize potentially risky situations, and empower them to better protect themselves. This research project has three phases. Firstly, researchers will conduct an initial user study with Canadian children and their parents to better understand their mobile device usage. Secondly, they will design and develop interactive educational material about mobile privacy, based on the most important gaps identified in the previous phase. Lastly, the researchers will evaluate the effectiveness of their designs through user studies. The project will result in publicly available, interactive educational materials teaching children about mobile privacy risks and encouraging them to assume proactive, privacy-conscious behaviours when online.