Ron Kerbs of Kidas: 5 Things We Can Each Do To Make Social Media And The Internet A Kinder And More Tolerant Place
Focus on the enjoyment and positivity there: Recognize that social media offers opportunities for enjoyment and connection. Balance your online interactions by emphasizing positive content and celebrating the benefits of digital communication in fostering social connections. By appreciating the diverse ways people use social media, you contribute to a more inclusive online environment.
As a part of our interview series about the things we can each do to make social media and the internet a kinder and more tolerant place, I had the pleasure to interview Ron Kerbs.
Ron Kerbs is the Founder and CEO of Kidas. Ron has a decade of experience in leading technology teams and investing in early-stage startups. After volunteering in various children focused NGOs, he decided to address the problem of gaming toxicity.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you share your backstory with us?
My journey began with six years of service in the Israeli military, where I worked as an engineer / software developer, dedicated to protecting our citizens. After completing my service, I moved to the United States and pursued advanced degrees, earning a Master of Arts in Global / International Studies and an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the University of Pennsylvania.
Driven by a desire to address meaningful challenges through software, I became deeply concerned about the growing threats children face while gaming online, such as financial scams, predators and bullying. This concern led me to conduct extensive market research and engage with gaming industry executives and parents of gamers in an attempt to discover a solution. In 2021, this research culminated in the launch of ProtectMe, an innovative solution that leverages artificial intelligence to monitor text and voice interactions between gamers. ProtectMe alerts parents to any concerning exchanges, helping them address digital threats and protect their children.
The idea for our second product, the ProtectMe Bot, took a significant leap forward when we received an inquiry from eSports Tower, an eSports team that was running a program for 5,000 children. They needed a centralized solution for their Discord server, as installing the protection software on each child’s computer was impractical. Through a collaborative and extensive design process with eSports Tower, we developed a product that met their needs and exceeded their expectations. They became our first user, and since then, we have expanded our reach to protect over 450,000 users across various Discord servers.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
One of the most interesting moments in my career involves Jenna Berger, a parent who utilized our ProtectMe software for her own children, who are enthusiastic gamers. Jenna received alerts from Kidas while her children were gaming and was very impressed by the impact of our software for her own family’s safety. Moved by our mission, Jenna became deeply passionate about our company and, eventually, she applied to join our team and was hired as Kidas’ Head of Parenting. Jenna continues to play a pivotal role at Kidas, contributing to our mission of safeguarding young gamers.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When our team first developed the Kidas software, we initially focused on creating technology for Android gaming. However, we soon realized that our main consumer base wasn’t using Android devices for gaming. Despite having impressive and functional technology, there was no demand for it! It took us a few weeks to understand this, but once we recognized that our core audience consisted primarily of PC and console gamers, we began to shift our approach.
Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?
Currently, our most significant project involves integrating with several prominent gaming consumer companies and online protection organizations. By leveraging their extensive networks and supporting their user bases, we can amplify our impact and enhance online safety for a larger community.
When one reads the comments on YouTube or Instagram, or the trending topics on Twitter, a great percentage of them are critical, harsh, and hurtful. The people writing the comments may feel like they are simply tapping buttons on a keyboard, but to the one on the receiving end of the comment, it is very different. This may be intuitive, but I feel that it will be instructive to spell it out. Can you help illustrate to our readers what the recipient of a public online critique might be feeling?
From our observations, many children experience significant emotional distress due to online criticism and bullying, often leading to depression. In numerous cases, they cease using certain platforms altogether as a result of these negative interactions. The impact of these online comments is not unlike hearing them in person; the emotional toll is quite similar. It is crucial to remember that there is a real person behind the screen, and the recipient often feels the same hurt and pain as if the comments were made face-to-face.
Do you think a verbal online attack feels worse or less than a verbal argument in “real life?” How are the two different?
I believe a verbal online attack can feel more distressing than a real-life argument due to its public nature. Online interactions are often visible to a broad audience, including friends and family, which transforms a private dispute into a public spectacle. This exposure can intensify feelings of humiliation and embarrassment, as the individual experiences the offense in front of their entire social network, rather than just another person or a few people in a room. Consequently, the emotional impact of online bullying and arguments can be significantly more severe.
What long term effects can happen to someone who was shamed online?
We have seen numerous cases of long-term depression among individuals who have been shamed online. Many of these individuals begin to avoid social gatherings, both in-person and online, due to persistent concerns about others’ perceptions and the fear that others are aware of the negative comments made about them. This often leads to social isolation.
In the context of gaming, we see a contrasting behavior. Some children who experience online bullying or shaming may actually increase their gaming activity. They are motivated to prove their detractors wrong by improving their gaming skills, particularly when the bullying is related to their gaming abilities. These children strive to demonstrate their competence and counteract the negative judgments they have faced.
Many people who troll others online, or who leave harsh comments, can likely be kind and sweet people in “real life.” These people would likely never publicly shout at someone in a room filled with 100 people. Yet, on social media, when you embarrass someone, you are doing it in front of thousands or even millions of people, and it is out there forever. Can you give three or four reasons why social media tends to bring out the worst in people; why people are meaner online than they are in person?
Firstly, there is a lack of interpersonal connection online. When individuals communicate with someone they do not know personally, they often fail to recognize the humanity of the person on the other side. It can feel as if they are interacting with a bot or an AI rather than a real person, which diminishes their sense of empathy and responsibility.
Secondly, social acceptance plays a significant role. On social media, individuals sometimes gain popularity by making harsh or provocative comments. The pursuit of followers and attention can drive people to be more abrasive and mean-spirited than they would be in face-to-face interactions.
Thirdly, the perceived anonymity and distance provided by the internet contributes to this behavior. People feel emboldened to say things online that they would never say in person because they believe there are fewer immediate consequences. This sense of detachment and safety can lead to more aggressive and hurtful behavior.
If you had the power to influence thousands of people about how to best comment and interact online, what would you suggest to them? What are your “five things we should each do to help make social media and the internet a kinder and more tolerant place?” Can you give a story or an example for each?
If given the opportunity to influence thousands of individuals on how to interact positively online, I would propose the following guidelines to foster a kinder and more tolerant digital environment:
- Utilize platform controls: Take advantage of the internal features of social media platforms to curate a more positive feed. Block or hide negative content, adjust settings to filter out undesirable posts and actively manage what appears in your online environment to promote positivity.
- Avoid engaging with negative behavior: Refrain from interacting with individuals who are seeking attention through negative or provocative comments. By withholding engagement, you reduce the visibility and impact of harmful behavior on social media platforms.
- Set a positive example, especially for children: Be mindful of your own behavior online, knowing that younger generations often emulate what they see. As a parent, guide children on using social media responsibly and encourage discussions about appropriate online conduct.
- Practice empathy and respect: Always consider the feelings and perspectives of others before commenting or sharing content online. Treat others with kindness and respect, fostering a culture of empathy in digital interactions.
- Focus on the enjoyment and positivity there: Recognize that social media offers opportunities for enjoyment and connection. Balance your online interactions by emphasizing positive content and celebrating the benefits of digital communication in fostering social connections. By appreciating the diverse ways people use social media, you contribute to a more inclusive online environment.
Freedom of speech prohibits censorship in the public square. Do you think that applies to social media? Do American citizens have a right to say whatever they want within the confines of a social media platform owned by a private enterprise?
Yes, I believe individuals have the right to express their views freely on social media platforms. However, it’s important to distinguish between freedom of speech and the platform’s algorithms that determine reach. While users can post content without censorship, platforms are not obligated to promote every piece of content equally.
For instance, content that violates community guidelines or promotes harmful behavior should not be algorithmically promoted. Users can still express their opinions, but the platform’s algorithms should prioritize content that contributes positively to the community while minimizing the visibility of harmful or inappropriate content.
If you had full control over Facebook or Twitter, which specific changes would you make to limit harmful or hurtful attacks?
If I had full control over Facebook or Twitter, I would prioritize reducing the prevalence of anonymous accounts. Many instances of hate speech and disinformation stem from users operating behind anonymous profiles. While anonymity can serve legitimate purposes, such as protecting privacy, it also facilitates services that manipulate platforms for artificial engagement.
It’s crucial for platforms like Facebook and Twitter to implement measures that limit the impact of bots and anonymous accounts. This includes revising policies to ensure that users are accountable for their actions and content, even if operating anonymously. Platforms may hesitate to enforce stricter measures due to concerns about affecting user metrics and engagement statistics, but these measures need to be taken in order to ensure the safety of its users.
Can you please give us your favorite life lesson quote? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite life lesson quote is from The Great Gatsby — “Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, just remember that all the people in this world haven’t had the advantages that you’ve had.”
I am grateful to have been born into a democracy in a Western country. My advantages provided me access to quality education, the ability to build an extraordinary team at Kidas and the opportunity of being accepted into the Comcast NBCUniversal LIFT Labs accelerator program. Recognizing that many people have not had these advantages, I strive to approach new acquaintances with empathy and respect, valuing their diverse accomplishments and experiences.
We are blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them 🙂
I would be interested in meeting with Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox Gaming at Microsoft. His leadership in shaping Microsoft’s gaming strategy and industry direction is commendable. I am keen to discuss our initiatives, gain insights into his perspective on the future of the gaming industry and learn about Microsoft’s upcoming strategies. I believe meeting with him would provide me with valuable insights into leadership and innovation in this sector.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
Readers can follow Kidas on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Thank you so much for these insights! This was so inspiring!
Ron Kerbs of Kidas: 5 Things We Can Each Do To Make Social Media And The Internet A Kinder And More… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.