About Parry Aftab Professionally
Parry Aftab is a legal expert in all aspects of Internet best practices, cybercrime and abuse. She has advised the Internet industry on consumer and children’s issues since 1994 and is called the “Kids Internet Lawyer.” She expanded her focus to privacy and security law and the application of sound practices to new interactive technologies. Her expertise now extends to interactive gaming, mobile and wireless technologies, as well as the Internet. Unlike many experts, Dr. Aftab’s talents include her ability to factor in societal values and legal differences around the world, which enables a truly globally sensitive approach to a global medium. She makes it easy and understandable.
Dr. Aftab was one of the first lawyers to practice Internet law. Known for her ability to think outside the box, she quickly became a leader in the emerging area of Internet law and policy. She now devotes most of her time to issues impacting children and families online and to the development of a more secure Web 2.0 experience. She is the award-winning “Privacy Lawyer” columnist for Information Week magazine, and is a frequent expert resource for and quoted by most leading media outlets around the world. She has authored several books worldwide, and is a sought-after expert for most news outlets and TV networks in the English-speaking world.
Dr. Aftab was identified as “the leading expert in cybercrime in the United States” by the Boston Herald. Her “sound, balanced approach to children’s online safety” was praised by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. She “understands what parents need and want to know” according to Stoyan Ganev, President UN General Assembly 87th session. And Vinton Cerf, the “father of the Internet” calls Dr. Aftab “the quintessential, responsible Internaut.” She received the Child Abuse Prevention Services Leadership Award and the 1998 President’s Service Award from the Whitehouse. The US Congress formally honored her work in cyberbullying in 2005.
Governmental entities, such as the US Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Homeland Security, the Singapore Media Development Authority, the Council of Europe and the European commission, members of UK Parliament, US Congress, leading prosecutors and law enforcement agencies around the world have turned to her for expertise. She works closely with all leading social networks and has pioneered the establishment of best practices standards for the Web 2.0 industry.
Dr. Aftab completed her undergraduate degree at Hunter College in less than 2 years, graduating as Valedictorian – all while a mother of two children. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and an NYU Law School graduate with a juris doctorate degree. Dr. Aftab started her career on Wall Street in 1984 as a corporate takeover lawyer. Her work with children online began following a CNN appearance on Internet censorship in 1997. She founded and runs the world’s largest Internet safety group (as an unpaid volunteer) and works closely with law enforcement, the Internet industry and governmental agencies around the world.
Dr. Aftab, who resides in the New York City area as well as in Canada, has received many awards for her work and donates most of her time to protecting everyone online and creating a safer and more responsible interactive experience for all.