Like kidTECH 2024, kidTECH 2025 will take place once again at the Ultimate Skybox in beautiful downtown San Diego, located 15 stories high in the DiamondView Tower and overlooking the magnificent Petco Park (home of the San Diego Padres) and the San Diego bay.

It should come as no surprise that the kids and family tech space continues to change rapidly. In our opening session, we will take a look at the moment we find ourselves in, while also looking at some research to help set the tone for the following sessions. Grab a hot dog and some fries from the French Fry Bar, a can of beer, and join us as we kick off our one-of-a-kind kidTECH micro-conference.

Presenters:
- Shai Samet (kidSAFE Seal)
- Kieran Donovan (k-ID)

What will the future of AI in child-focused technologies look like? In this visionary panel, industry pioneers will share how they’ve already harnessed the power of AI to transform their products—personalizing learning, enhancing safety, and sparking creativity for kids worldwide. Looking ahead, they’ll explore how these innovations will continue to redefine how children play, learn, and grow over the next five years. Join us for an inspiring discussion on the challenges, opportunities, and groundbreaking advancements shaping the future of AI in kidTECH.

Panelists:
- Shai Samet (kidSAFE Seal) - moderator
- Diana Hughes (Age of Learning)
- Ivan Crewkov (Buddy.AI)
- Todd Pallet (Native Voice)
- Ralph Nakhle (Tokidos)

Just like at past kidTECH conferences, our friends Barry and Jason will make sure things don't get too serious with a never-seen-before game activity for attendees.

As social media bans and restrictions gain momentum both internationally and domestically, what’s driving regulators to take these steps—and what does it mean for the kids’ digital industry? This panel examines the forces behind this growing trend, from privacy and safety issues, content moderation challenges, and technology addiction concerns. Industry experts will discuss how kidTECH leaders can proactively address these issues, build trust with regulators, and collaborate on solutions to prevent over-regulation. Join this critical conversation about balancing innovation, safety, and compliance in the rapidly changing digital landscape.

Let me know if this fits your vision!

Panelists:
- Kaila Jarvis (Keywords Studios) - moderator
- Joe Newman (k-ID)
- Zak Ringelstein (Zigazoo)
- Amy Lawrence (SuperAwesome)
- Hege Tokerud (Aiba)

Indulge in ice cream and sprinkles, watch a preview of the magic to come later in the evening, and find your group to partake in an off-site activity of your choice. See the options below, and don't forget to come back for the taco bar dinner and magic show at 6:00pm sharp!

Attendees chose from the following activities:

(1) the more adventurous, on-the-ocean Speed Boat Tours. On this tour, you will embark on a 13-mile speed boat ride for an unforgettable sightseeing journey through San Diego Harbor with the best views on the bay. Bring a warm sweater or jacket along in case the temp is cooler outside.

Location of tour: Safe Harbor Cabrillo Isla Marina
Duration: From 4:00-6:00pm
More Details: https://www.speedboatadventures.com/san-diego/speed-boat-adventure-tour/

(2) the more athletic, outdoor Pickle ball or Wiffle ball tournament, at Gallagher Square adjacent to Petco Park. Bring your sneakers for a one-of-kind, fast-paced contest challenging your colleagues to your best game of Pickleball or Wiffle ball, depending on the current configuration of Gallagher Square.

Location of tournament: Gallagher Square located on 840 K St, just outside Petco Park and 15-stories below Skybox.
Duration: From 4:00-5:30pm
More Details: https://www.mlb.com/padres/ballpark/gallagher-square

(3) the more relaxed, indoor arcade game challenge at the nearby Arcade Monsters, where you will be split into small teams and challenged to tally the most points from your unlimited arcade play activity.

Location of arcade play: Arcade Monsters, 704 J St
Duration: From 4:00-6:00pm
More Details: https://www.arcademonsters.com/san-diego

Come back to kidTECH headquarters for a one-of-a-kind, make your own taco dinner, while being mesmerized by one of the world's foremost mentalists and magicians, Marc Garfinkel.

It took over 5 years for the FTC to come up with final changes to the COPPA Rule, the infamous law that affects every business in our industry. But the "New COPPA" is finally here and will go into full effect in 2026 (or will it?). Are you ready for what the new version of COPPA will bring?

One of kidSAFE's privacy specialists, together with a cybersecurity specialist from TÜV Rheinland, will break down the new COPPA 3.0 requirements, explain the impact they will have on our fragile industry, and suggest important and practical steps businesses can take now to get compliant.

Presenters:
- Akhil Bhardwaj (kidSAFE Seal)
- Doug Hughes (TÜV Rheinland)

In this engaging fireside chat, former pro baseball player turned tech entrepreneur Nick Rotola takes us on his unconventional journey—from the world of sports to the high-stakes arena of cryptocurrency, and now, to the forefront of social media innovation. As the founder of UP, a groundbreaking platform designed to break the cycle of endless scrolling and prioritize emotional well-being for the youth market, Nick is on a mission to reshape how we connect online and bring the next evolution of social in a post doomscroll era.

Panelists:
- Veronica Miles (General Magic Workshops)
- Nick Rotola (UP)

AI characters for kids can take the form of smart speakers, animated characters, virtual influencers, social robots, digital twins, digital pets, and other emerging formats. This keynote will thoughtfully explore how we might use AI characters to support children's education and entertainment, while assessing when AI characters may NOT be appropriate for kids and where to draw other ethical boundaries.

Presenters:
- Sonia Tiwari (everyone.AI, Children's AI Media Researcher)

Grab some food and find a table with a topic you're interested in. Fancy another topic? No worries, feel free to move around, or if you're bored, get some fresh air on the porch.

Roundtable topics will include:

(1) Show and Tell: This is the roundtable to show off your child-friendly digital product to like-minded peers and get real-time feedback. Make sure to bring a demo!
- Moderators: Everyone with a product to show off

(2) Lunching with the Lawyers: Big developments in new state laws regulating online safety and privacy for children and teens.
- Moderators: Akhil Bhardwaj (kidSAFE), Jonathan Chandler (kidSAFE), Debora Fiore (kidSAFE), Barbora Studihrad (kidSAFE)

(3) Free-for-all Networking: This is the roundtable designated purely for networking and chatting about whatever's on your mind.
- No moderators necessary :-)

In a crowded and competitive market of digital products, how can our niche industry of family-focused technologies successfully distribute, monetize, and scale their products? This panel will dive into proven and emerging strategies for driving revenue across multiple verticals, including web, mobile, gaming, CTV, IoT, ed-tech, ad-tech, and beyond. Hear from industry leaders as they share insights, case studies, and creative approaches to building sustainable business models while keeping kids’ needs at the forefront.

Panelists:
- Stephen MacDonald (Magic Potion Games) - moderator
- Dhaval Sheth (Kiddopia)
- Bill Brady (Troomi)
- Vikrant Mathur (Future Today / Happy Kids)

While online experiences tend to dominate the youth and family market these days, offline play – such as board games, party games, traditional toys, collectibles, and accessories – also continue to thrive. In this panel, Barry and Jason will talk with Tony from The Op Games (maker of many top selling games on Amazon) and find out what makes screenless games successful, how they can foster creativity and social interaction, and how their core principles can inspire the design of innovative online experiences, as well.

Panelists:
- Barry McLaughlin (Game Inventor, Barry & Jason Games)
- Jason Lautenschleger (Game Inventor, Barry & Jason Games)
- Tony Serebriany, The Op Games

Get your chocolate-covered strawberries or pretzels (yum), sit by the outdoor fire pit, find an old or new friend, and have a good schmooze.

This panel is a staple of the kidTECH micro-conference and is back for kidTECH 2025 by popular demand! Over the past few years, dozens of initiatives have been launched to develop creative tech solutions for modern-day challenges faced by children and students, whether physically, mentally, socially, academically, or religiously. But there are just a few standout products doing exceptional work and making a real impact in this space. Hear from these companies on what it takes to build "tech for good!"

Panelists:
- Samantha Sugar (GoNoodle) - moderator
- Mick Brege (With Love)
- Sasha Shtern (Goally)
- Carolyn Gudmundson (GGWP)
- Kristin Jackson (Freespoke)