Digital Safety Tech Policy Fellow: Fall 2025 - Spring 2026

Overview

The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) is a leading international non-profit organization dedicated to making the online world safer for children and their families. Through research, resources, and advocacy, FOSI’s Digital Parenting program provides parents and caregivers with the tools they need to confidently navigate the online world with their families.

The Tech Policy Fellow will bridge technology and policy by testing emerging technologies, explaining how they work, and assessing their policy implications. This is a unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge tools and innovations while helping policymakers, parents, and industry leaders understand their impact on online safety.

Working closely with FOSI’s Policy Team and Marketing Lead, the Fellow will produce multimedia explainers for social media, write policy analyses for FOSI’s website, and contribute to FOSI’s broader advocacy and research efforts.

Fellowship Goals

• Analyze new and emerging technologies that affect online safety, children’s rights, and digital citizenship.
• Translate complex technical concepts into accessible content through short explainer videos and written pieces.
• Identify and communicate the policy implications of new technologies for U.S. and global audiences.
• Contribute to FOSI’s reputation as a thought leader at the intersection of technology and policy.

Key Responsibilities

• Technology Testing & Analysis
  • Test and evaluate new technologies, digital platforms, and tools as they launch.
  • Assess potential risks and benefits for children, families, and educators.
  • Provide regular briefings on the most relevant tech developments for FOSI’s policy agenda.
• Content Creation
  • Produce short, engaging explainer videos (in partnership with FOSI’s Marketing Lead) for social media platforms to describe how new technologies work.
  • Draft articles, blogs, and analysis pieces for the FOSI website that summarize the policy implications of tested technologies.
  • Ensure that all content is accurate, accessible, and aligned with FOSI’s mission.
• Policy Research & Implications
  • Conduct in-depth research on the societal and regulatory impact of new technologies (e.g., AI tools, age assurance mechanisms, platforms for kids, privacy-enhancing technologies).
  • Draft policy briefs and recommendations highlighting both challenges and opportunities.
  • Support FOSI’s engagement in state, federal, and international policy conversations informed by technology analysis.
• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Present findings at FOSI meetings, roundtables, or events.
  • Represent FOSI in conversations with policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers where technology intersects with policy.
  • Collaborate with the Policy Team to ensure that technology insights feed into broader advocacy work.

Qualifications

• Graduate student in a relevant field (e.g., Public Policy, Law, Computer Science, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or Communications).
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to assess both technical and policy dimensions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex topics simply and clearly.
• Comfort with on-camera presentation and interest in producing digital content.
• Demonstrated interest in online safety, digital rights, and emerging technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with technology monitoring, product testing, or user experience analysis.
• Experience with digital content creation (video, social media, or blogs).
• Knowledge of current policy debates around AI, children’s online safety, data privacy, or digital platforms.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit:

• A CV
• A cover letter describing their interest and relevant experience
• A writing sample demonstrating research and analytical skills (policy or tech-focused preferred)

Applications will be accepted at fosi@fosi.org on a rolling basis until a candidate is selected. The fellowship program begins September 30, 2025.

The grant award is $10,000 ($5,000 per semester). Fellows will work 3 days a week in-person at FOSI’s Downtown Washington, D.C. office. Metro benefits and a lunch stipend are included. FOSI understands that graduate students’ schedules vary and will work with candidates to ensure flexibility.