Head of Corporate Responsibility and Public Policy

Read about the company’s commitment to the communities we live in.

Sr. Manager, CR and Environment

Community

We work with education partners all over the world to help students build strong, lasting digital safety habits. And we equip teachers with tools and resources that make those digital skills part of everyday learning in their school curriculums, not a one-off lesson.&nbsp;&nbsp;Since 2021, more than 42,300 students across 200 schools have taken part in Cyber Safety training through a collaboration between Norton, part of the Gen family of brands, and Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children – India).&nbsp;&nbsp;The focus is practical: helping young people recognize online risks and build habits that keep them safer—from spotting scams to protecting their personal information. And by bringing teachers and families into the learning process, the program ensures those behaviors don’t stop at the classroom door.&nbsp;

<h2>How it works&nbsp;</h2>We start early and keep it relevant. Students ages 10-16 learn practical Cyber Safety skills through age-based lessons covering topics like scams, phishing and online privacy. Many schools also run Cyber Safety Clubs to keep those habits going beyond the classroom.&nbsp;&nbsp;Teachers are trained alongside students with tools they can use every day — not just once.&nbsp;And the learning doesn’t stop at school. Workshops bring in parents, caregivers, School Management Committees and even local law enforcement, so the same messages show up at school, at home and in the community.&nbsp;Between April 2025 and March 2026 alone, these sessions reached more than 9,400 people, including nearly 7,800 students and more than 1,700 caregivers.&nbsp;<h2>The results are in. The impact is clear. &nbsp;</h2><ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e50336e8fde80f2a8f28a0d021f201cb1">99.5% of students surveyed showed improved digital safety knowledge&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e728025570a6c3d168ca5e928feab5a43">Students scoring 70% or higher on the Cyber Safety assessment increased from 5% before the session to 91% afterwards&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e3ea6261ccdf7b675e38313b9e0410513">96% of parents said the training helped them guide their children&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e4bc2abde24be47a263d698de4f102fee">91% of teachers saw positive changes in digital behavior, like stronger passwords and scam awareness&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>These results come from a sample of schools in Pune, Maharashtra and Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu that have been running the program for at least a year. &nbsp;

<h2>Why this approach matters&nbsp;</h2>This work in India is part of something bigger.&nbsp;Across the globe, Gen is helping expand access to digital education that is locally relevant, scalable and built to last—so more people can navigate the digital world with confidence.&nbsp;We’re building on this through partnerships with Discovery Education on <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/discovery-education-ai-curriculum" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AI literacy</a> and our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/financial-literacy-month-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">financial wellness efforts</a> with the Jump$tart Coalition and the National Consumers League.&nbsp;&nbsp;

How our partnership with Save the Children India builds safer digital habits

Expanding Digital Education for Students in India

Corporate Manager

Phishing scams are more convincing. AI is making fake messages harder to spot. And once attackers get into one account, they often don’t stop there. They move laterally – email, banking, shopping, even identity data — turning a single mistake into something much bigger.That’s how account takeovers become&nbsp;identity theft.And the signals people used to rely on? They’re fading fast.As James E. Lee, President of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), explains: “Remember when we used to tell people bad spelling and poor grammar were the best way to tell if someone was trying to scam you or steal your identity? AI-assisted attacks now make it easy to convince people a scam is real, compromising or bypassing passwords along the way. That’s why we all need to change our habits to include a multi-layer approach to protecting our personal information, starting with passkeys where available, and long, unique passwords created by a password manager + MFA when passkeys are not available.”The good news: protecting yourself doesn’t require expert-level skills. It requires a smarter, layered approach to how you log in; one that makes life harder for attackers, not for you. The new reality: passwords alone aren’t enoughPasswords are still everywhere. But on their own, they’re no longer strong enough to stand up to modern threats like phishing, credential stuffing, and data breaches.Today, the most effective defense is layered:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="ebe7fef585caa31819c6accdda95c3775">Strong, unique passphrases&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e29bc7f2b2042241054279627351da17d">A password manager&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e92657b16dd661843074c9f463fa52be1">Multi-factor authentication (MFA)&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e6ef7fd2c3211fd022bd5c30000356466">Authenticator apps&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e99b977e01d337356e97b88ed370094ea">Passkeys&nbsp;</li></ul>Each layer adds friction for attackers and resilience for you.<h2>Start with stronger passwords or passphrases</h2>Short, complex passwords are fading out. Long, unique&nbsp;passphrases are in.A passphrase (something like a string of unrelated words) is:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e286a4823c6a31ced6d37539a0ef92c7a">harder to crack&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e51ada4f98556fc6e4edfd506d5b0811e">easier to remember&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e10a8c3ae3ceb601bfe4d90320037d1d7">more resistant to brute-force attacks&nbsp;</li></ul>Aim for at least&nbsp;12–15 characters and never reuse credentials across accounts.Why? Because password reuse is one of the fastest paths to identity theft. One breached account can unlock many more—especially email, which acts as a gateway to everything else.

<h2>A password manager makes strong security a reality</h2>Here’s the truth: no one can securely manage dozens of unique passwords on their own.That’s where a password manager comes in. A tool like&nbsp;<a href="https://my.norton.com/extspa/passwordmanager" target="_blank">Norton Password Manager</a> helps you:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e93d3e2f5a1f3d684b90b6064c19fbb2a">generate strong, unique passwords&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e280b796fe7b27859a3108336caf07c71">store them securely&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e695229e2672c6f45484d8ff402915c28">autofill them across devices&nbsp;</li></ul>👉 Instead of reusing passwords or writing them down, you create a system that scales safely.And that matters because better password habits are one of the most effective ways to prevent account takeovers before they start.<h2>MFA: the simplest upgrade with the biggest impact</h2>Even strong passwords can be stolen through phishing, malware or breaches.That’s why&nbsp;multi-factor authentication (MFA) is critical.MFA requires a second form of verification:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e70545fda0a315f0787bd5c2d97b9297e">something you know (password)&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e9c798773de7ff0641db0b83bf87b026b">something you have (device or app)&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e5b11b8077468b93b11b9eea30a434e3e">something you are (biometrics)&nbsp;</li></ul>So even if an attacker gets your password, they still hit a wall.Think of it this way: A password locks the door. MFA adds a deadbolt.<h2>Authenticator apps &gt; SMS (and here’s why)</h2>Many people rely on text message codes for MFA. It’s better than nothing—but it’s not the strongest option.Authenticator apps are more secure because:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e1becac39799082e5fee0a8f2c7adba0b">codes are generated on your device&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="eea63cb614fe3a9dfbb519f6a3e81937a">they aren’t transmitted over networks&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ee5f9827b24141bed1f6ec8e7c1acc7c4">they’re less vulnerable to SIM-swap attacks&nbsp;</li></ul>They also strike the right balance: strong security, minimal friction.<h2>Passkeys: a simpler, phishing-resistant future</h2>Passkeys are gaining traction for a reason. They remove the password entirely.Instead of typing anything, you log in using:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e9dcf2622584197e5cb16fda3f11ef6ac">fingerprint&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ea7d11d74d81497a4acd16e7c6c29d6cd">face scan&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e0426ea4a37edded97d0c20340c5f78d6">device PIN&nbsp;</li></ul>Behind the scenes, passkeys use&nbsp;public key cryptography, which means:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e58dcc6362b3c8cd82d1651546d8ed350">no shared secrets to steal&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e192dbdc4720550b21d96ceefc468888e">no passwords to phish&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e6ac56d7e9a1e70491553d822f360e9dd">no risk of entering credentials into fake sites&nbsp;</li></ul>They’re designed to be&nbsp;phishing-resistant by default.Passkeys aren’t universal yet, but where they’re available, they’re one of the strongest upgrades you can make.<h2>How account takeovers turn into identity theft</h2>This is where it gets real.When attackers access an account, they don’t just stop there. They:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e64049057c95e55d1542faa1c6cae8b82">reset passwords&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e102a5f8ec88ebe93219c8c025126d42f">scrape personal data&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e91eff0019645f2083dfcbf411937ac9d">impersonate you&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="efb44ea2fdf24f5e2381c8e5acae6b8e3">pivot into financial or identity systems&nbsp;</li></ul>That’s how a compromised login becomes&nbsp;identity theft.According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.idtheftcenter.org/" target="_blank">Identity Theft Resource Center</a> (ITRC), stolen credentials are one of the most common starting points for identity-related crimes. The <a href="https://identitytheft.gov/" target="_blank">U.S. Federal Trade Commission</a> also notes that identity theft often begins with exposed login information.In other words, protecting your accounts is one of the most effective ways to protect your identity.<h2>Security doesn’t stop at login</h2>Getting into your accounts safely is step one. What happens after matters too.<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="eeca421063d947af9513ba3520e0d9e44">Use secure apps with end-to-end encryption&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e57922da03ac9c2b8ad3b098c22ed9eac">Be cautious about what you share and store&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ed0891d3c1de4af26b749c0b569485d3c">Keep devices updated&nbsp;</li></ul>Good digital habits don’t end at login; they extend across everything you do online.<h2>What to do now (start here)</h2>Focus on your most important accounts:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e0d7d0c8f79bf63ec1dc9855b30165df3">email&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e308b155522a2f37f61aa2deaabfb01b3">banking&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e26ce5f8a4c9ff8a30dfc73dd89eea960">shopping&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e2324f3fed7f0dcdafb1af0c2ee15ca9b">social media&nbsp;</li></ul>Then:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e6f69f3a8b0b344d52b8219fb40b2ab09">Create long, unique passphrases&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e881ebfa1d05420bf605313135ecec426">Use a password manager &nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="eb63b60ac4032b3eca7f992e0b74e95b5">Turn on MFA everywhere you can&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ef4b8b21f6dccdba45a0f751e50edceec">Choose an authenticator app over SMS&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="ea21ef6c61d702b4f3f3b14874b1109d2">Adopt passkeys when available&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>Build a layered defense that works</h2>There’s no single fix for cybersecurity. The strongest protection comes from combining tools that reinforce each other:<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e9103f9164c0015d124a746b512b58630">Passphrases protect against guessing and reuse&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e09e76fdc1cf114a79d3205044d2b4894">Password managers make strong habits sustainable&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e11204eee1d8516ebf6a7218416e4b33d">MFA blocks unauthorized access&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e549576d6a19185416cc2e423b8e08fcf">Authenticator apps strengthen that layer&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e3bf65eec480f11a943d6de5153de9028">Passkeys reduce reliance on passwords entirely&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>Build better sign-in habits, one step at a time</h2>Together, they create a system that’s much harder to break—and much easier to live with. Attackers don’t need much, just one weak password, one reused login, one missed step. That’s why small upgrades matter. A stronger passphrase. Turning on MFA. Using a password manager. Choosing passkeys when you can.You don’t have to do everything at once. But each step you take makes it harder for someone else to take control.

Cybercriminals aren’t just guessing passwords anymore, they’re logging in

Why Passkeys, MFA and Strong Passphrases Matter More Than Ever

April is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jumpstart.org/awareness/financial-literacy-month/">Financial Literacy Month</a>, an annual campaign to help people of all ages&nbsp;acquire the&nbsp;skills they need to make informed financial decisions and plan for the future. Every year, companies, nonprofits, libraries, schools, banks and more come together to develop resources, host workshops and raise awareness of simple ways to strengthen financial skills.Today, those skills go beyond budgeting and saving. Financial wellness and digital wellness are deeply connected.&nbsp;From online banking to mobile payments to scams and identity theft, financial decisions increasingly happen in digital environments.At Gen, we’re working to help people build both.Through partnerships with organizations like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jumpstart.org/">Jump$tart Coalition</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://nclnet.org/">National Consumers League</a>,&nbsp;and through the work of MoneyLion, part of the Gen family of brands, we are expanding access to the tools and education people need to navigate financial life with confidence.&nbsp;Supporting the Next Generation of Financial Decision-MakersEarlier this year, we announced a new partnership with the Jump$tart Coalition, the official nonprofit partner of Financial Literacy Month. The Jump$tart Coalition works to advance financial literacy through programs&nbsp;that reach students across K–12 classrooms nationwide.&nbsp;As an example, during Financial Literacy Month, the Jump$tart Coalition hosts an annual&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jumpstart.org/awareness/check-your-school/teen-teach-in/">Teen Teach-In</a>, where high school students studying personal finance teach elementary school students key financial concepts.&nbsp;The program builds understanding early and encourages peer-to-peer learning in communities.We also continue our longstanding support of&nbsp;<a href="https://lifesmarts.org/">LifeSmarts</a>, a program of the National Consumers League (NCL), that helps young people build critical knowledge in personal finance, consumer rights, identity protection and other digital issues. Beyond its flagship scholarship competition, LifeSmarts offers a wide variety of&nbsp;<a href="https://lifesmarts.org/resources/">trainings and resources</a> to support young people in their financial wellness journeys. In honor of tax season Gen, NCL and LifeLock, part of the Gen family of brands, collaborated on a study guide to help first-time filers understand common tax scams and how to avoid them. The resource is available&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gendigitalinc_the-tax-scam-threat-activity-7445205859850436608-i3SK?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAAFtbI0B8PsFXlFu9p7Fy9WC_jon5VUXPlk">here</a>.&nbsp;Enhancing Financial Wellness Through Identity Theft ProtectionFinancial literacy today must include identity protection. As part of MoneyLion’s platform evolution, we introduced identity protection services for MoneyLion WOW members, bringing LifeLock-powered scam and identity protection directly into the app. This expands MoneyLion’s capabilities beyond financial management to include identity protection. These protections are especially important for younger users. Gen Z and millennials experience&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moneylion.com/trending/money/moneylion-adds-protection-benefits">higher rates</a> of scams than any other generation,&nbsp;making education and protection critical.We also partner with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.idtheftcenter.org/">Identity Theft Resource Center</a> (<a>ITRC</a>) to raise awareness about evolving threats, including mobile scams, impersonation phishing and romance scams. Through collaborations like&nbsp;ITRC president James E. Lee appearing on&nbsp;LifeLock’s Control Room series, we help translate complex risks into practical, everyday actions people can take to protect themselves.Financial Literacy Month is an important moment—but this work continues year-round. By combining partnerships, technology and education, we aim to make financial and digital skills more accessible to more people. From classrooms to mobile apps, we are helping individuals build confidence, avoid risks and make informed decisions in an increasingly connected world.To learn more about how Gen supports financial wellness and digital safety, explore our&nbsp;<a href="https://s201.q4cdn.com/771113172/files/doc_downloads/2025/06/Gen-Social-Impact-Report-2025.pdf">Social Impact Report</a>.&nbsp;These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate-advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.

Gen, MoneyLion and our partners expand access to financial education during Financial Literacy Month 

Building Financial Confidence in a Digital World

Every year on March 27th, <a href="https://ailiteracyday.org/">National AI Literacy Day</a> brings together educators, students and families to explore how to prepare learners for an AI-enabled world. Organized by the EDSAFE AI Alliance, aiEDU, Common Sense Media and The Tech Interactive, the day combines professional development opportunities for teachers with resources and hands-on activities for students that help demystify AI and support responsible use of this rapidly evolving technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;At Gen, we believe helping young people understand technology is key to building a safer digital future, and we’re excited to join in this day of action.&nbsp;&nbsp;Together with <a href="https://www.discoveryeducation.com/?utm_source=cep_marketing&amp;utm_medium=paid_partner&amp;utm_campaign=cep_Norton_Ailitblog">Discovery Education,</a> a global leader in standards-based curriculum for K-12 learning, we created “<a href="https://mydigitallife.discoveryeducation.com/pages/87386ff6-712d-4c5e-9d78-dd51477eec87">Think Smart: Exploring AI and Staying Safe Online</a>.” This new video series is designed to help children and young people understand AI works and how to use it responsibly. The videos introduce key concepts such as where AI appears in everyday life and how to recognize potential risks. The series is available free to educators, students and families through <a href="https://mydigitallife.discoveryeducation.com/">My Digital Life</a>, a multilingual education platform developed by Discovery Education and Norton, part of the Gen family of brands.&nbsp;&nbsp;Supporting Educators with AI Literacy Resources&nbsp;Norton has partnered with Discovery Education and <a href="https://naaweb.org/">National AfterSchool Association</a> on My Digital Life since 2023. The platform provides teachers around the world with standards-aligned instructional resources that help students develop essential digital citizenship skills.&nbsp;&nbsp;Lesson plans, interactive activities and videos for students in grades 3-8 explore topics such as cyberbullying, misinformation and protecting personal data. Norton’s technical expertise helps ensure the content remains accurate and reflects the latest developments in the digital landscape.&nbsp;The new AI video series builds on this foundation. Through animated storytelling and relatable scenarios, it explores how artificial intelligence intersects with online safety and everyday digital behavior. The lessons encourage students to think critically about technology while developing the skills needed to use AI responsibly.&nbsp;Since launching, My Digital Life resources have reached nearly <a>490,000</a>&nbsp;young people globally. These materials are currently available in English, Spanish, Arabic, <a>Hindi</a>, French and German,&nbsp;helping bring digital education into classrooms across multiple regions.&nbsp;Expanding Access to AI Education&nbsp;Our collaboration with Discovery Education is part of Gen’s broader effort to expand access to digital safety and AI education for young people.&nbsp;We also partner with <a href="https://www.wagggs.org/en/">World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts</a> (WAGGGS), a global movement reaching millions of girls and young women. In 2025, new AI education modules were added to <a href="https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/surf-smart-20/">Surf Smart 2.0</a>, a nonformal digital safety education program developed by WAGGGS and Norton that has reached more than 850,000 participants worldwide. Through the program, students explore how AI appears in their daily lives, from chatbots to content recommendations, and learn how to set thoughtful boundaries with emerging tools.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Gen also supports Discovery Education’s <a href="https://digitalcitizenship.discoveryeducation.com/">Digital Citizenship Initiative</a>, which helps students build the skills needed to create a more respectful and responsible online world. The initiative includes multiple resources on <a href="https://digitalcitizenship.discoveryeducation.com/ai-literacy">AI literacy</a>, helping middle and high school students better understand how AI shapes their online experiences.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, we participated in “Teaching AI with Confidence: Skills and Strategies for AI Literacy Day,” a free panel discussion for educators to help strengthen AI‑ready instruction across grade levels. Gen’s Head of Corporate Responsibility &amp; Government Affairs joined the panel, which highlighted practical, age‑appropriate strategies for teaching AI and digital citizenship. Check out the <a href="https://home.edweb.net/webinar/ai20260311/">full recording</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;By working with educators, nonprofits and technology leaders, we aim to ensure that young people not only understand the tools affecting their digital lives but also feel empowered to use them safely and responsibly.&nbsp;To learn more about Gen’s digital education and training efforts, explore our latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank">Social Impact Report</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate-advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.&nbsp;

Gen partners with Discovery Education on new video series focused on AI literacy

Helping Students Understand AI in the Classroom

Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day invites us to celebrate the long history of women’s social, economic and cultural progress while recognizing the work still ahead — including in the digital world.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Technology has opened new doors for connection, learning and opportunity. Yet it has also introduced new risks. According to UN Women, technology-facilitated violence against women and girls is on the rise, with <a href="https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2024/10/intensification-of-efforts-to-eliminate-all-forms-of-violence-against-women-report-of-the-secretary-general-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">studies</a> showing that as many as 58% have experienced forms of digital abuse, including hacking, stalking, and online harassment.&nbsp; &nbsp;At Gen, we believe the internet should be safe for everyone. That belief drives our partnership with the <a href="https://www.wagggs.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts</a> (WAGGGS), a global movement reaching millions of girls and young women.&nbsp;&nbsp;Together with WAGGGS, Norton, part of the Gen family of brands, codeveloped <a href="https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/surf-smart-20/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surf Smart</a>, a nonformal education program that has reached more than 850,000 girls and young women worldwide with digital safety resources to date. In early 2026, WAGGGS launched the next evolution of this work: <a href="https://www.wagggs.org/en/news/advocacy-for-generation-digital-a4gd-launches-to-support-youth-led-action-for-a-safer-digital-world/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Advocacy for Generation Digital</a>.&nbsp;<h2>Moving From Education to Action&nbsp;</h2>Advocacy for Generation Digital builds on Surf Smart 2.0 and helps girls and young women transform knowledge into leadership. The curriculum supports participants as they identify digital issues that matter most to them, strengthen research and communication skills and design advocacy campaigns that promote safer and more inclusive online spaces. &nbsp;The program offers learning pathways for elementary, middle and high school students and can be adapted to local contexts. It is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic. WAGGGS also provides <a href="https://campfire.wagggs.org/topic/grant-application-advocacy-generation-digital-2026?_gl=1*1huf6ak*_ga*MzAyNTY1NDA5LjE3NjI1NjA1OTQ.*_ga_T1311503CC*czE3NzA5MjQzMzMkbzEwJGcxJHQxNzcwOTI0ODY5JGo2MCRsMCRoMA.." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">advocacy grants</a> to Member Organizations, helping bring youth-led projects to life in communities around the world.&nbsp;The impact of youth advocacy is already clear. In 2023 and 2024, young women in 10 countries launched campaigns addressing digital inclusion and online safety. Some organized public panels. Others engaged local media. Sophia Nabbale and Ronah Akatukunda from Uganda presented at the United Nations Civil Society Conference 2024 in Nairobi, highlighting the intergenerational digital divide and the fight against online violence.&nbsp;“Gen and WAGGGS share a vision for digital life," said Leena Elias, Chief Product Officer at Gen. "We believe the internet can be place where young people learn, connect and express themselves safely. Advocacy for Generation Digital is another step toward bringing that vision to life, empowering girls and young women to shape digital spaces that reflect their needs and aspirations.”&nbsp;<h2>Preparing the Next Generation for an AI-Driven World</h2>Our partnership continues to evolve with technology. In 2025, Surf Smart 2.0 was updated to include new modules on artificial intelligence. Participants explore how AI shows up in their daily lives, from chatbots to content recommendations, and learn how to set responsible boundaries with emerging tools.&nbsp; &nbsp;Throughout 2026, Gen and WAGGGS are also amplifying the voices of program participants — sharing firsthand accounts from Smart Surfers and Advocacy Champions about what they’ve learned and how they are leading change in their communities.&nbsp;

Digital Freedom depends on more than protection. It requires participation, confidence and leadership. By investing in youth-led advocacy, we are helping ensure the next generation is not only prepared to navigate the digital world safely — but ready to shape it.&nbsp; &nbsp;To learn more about how Gen supports digital education and training around the world, explore our latest <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Social Impact Report</a>. &nbsp;&nbsp;These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate-advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In celebration of International Women’s Day, Gen highlights its partnership with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts 

From Digital Skills to Digital Advocacy: Empowering Girls to Lead Online 

Scams have become one of the most pervasive threats in today’s digital world. They are no longer isolated attempts of deception, but organized, fast-moving, personal and increasingly powered by AI. The result is a growing wave of financial and emotional harm that cuts across age, income, and geography.&nbsp;Gen released a <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/media/fc5br3yb/us-scam-paper-digital.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">policy paper</a> outlining clear recommendations for how US policymakers can help turn the tide against scam networks targeting Americans. From improved data protection to increased coordination with law enforcement, the recommendations reflect Gen’s long-standing commitment to protecting consumers online.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Policymakers are paying attention&nbsp;In January, the US Senate’s Special Committee on Aging held a <a href="https://www.aging.senate.gov/hearings/made-in-china-paid-by-seniors-stopping-the-surge-of-international-scams" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">hearing </a>focused on international scams targeting older Americans. This group remains one of the most vulnerable to financial fraud, often losing life savings to carefully constructed schemes that exploit trust and emotional connections. At Gen, protecting older adults has always been a focus, and we continue our commitment as increased attention and resources are improving understanding and responses to these targeted scams.&nbsp;The committee’s focus on elder fraud reinforces the urgency behind Gen’s recommendations. National awareness campaigns, stronger enforcement tools, and improved coordination across agencies are critical steps to address the scale of these scams and protect our most vulnerable. As threats continue to evolve, policy solutions must keep pace.&nbsp;

How Gen is leading the way&nbsp;Gen leaders have joined a number of recent engagements in Washington to advance understanding of scams and promote policy solutions, including participation in the Global Anti-Scam Alliance's <a href="https://www.gasa.org/event-details/global-anti-scam-summit-gass-america-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">North American Anti‑Scam Summit</a> in December. &nbsp;Here, Gen leaders joined cybersecurity experts from across the industry to share insights on systemic approaches to scam prevention and the growing risks of AI-enabled fraud.&nbsp;Gen is also collaborating with members of Congress through the bipartisan Stop Scams Caucus to reinforce why a coordinated federal response is essential. These discussion scenter on how policy and industry can work together to reduce risk and protect people at scale, and our efforts are helping to shape a smarter, more unified approach to the crisis.&nbsp;Read our takeaways from these conversations <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kimallman_gens-push-for-smarter-scam-response-activity-7404557337069264896-AJ6i?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAACEcfwsBMdyVxLhhmHhHwmcR8kfTGZwUMzI" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;Policy solutions to match the threat&nbsp;Gen <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/media/fc5br3yb/us-scam-paper-digital.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">threat data</a> shows that scams now make up a majority of the harmful content and attacks blocked by our products each day. These include phishing schemes, impersonation campaigns, fraudulent investment scams, and AI‑assisted social engineering that uses stolen personal information to deceive victims in highly convincing ways.&nbsp;Traditional approaches to cybercrime are not sufficient on their own. Criminal networks now operate across borders, using sophisticated tools that exploit gaps in information sharing and law enforcement capabilities. Gen’s policy proposals are designed to address these gaps with practical approaches, including:&nbsp;<ul type="disc"><li data-list-item-id="e744f71629c64a606ceff9a8c184c09df">Expanded public awareness campaigns to inform the public about common scam techniques and how to avoid them.&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="efd4b095a540508a5351d55549d3b6718">Enhanced collaboration between technology companies and federal law enforcement to accelerate investigations into transnational fraud networks.&nbsp;</li><li data-list-item-id="e2d4cc9635900776aa7b2be6b7182b9f5">Support for stronger consumer protection standards that help reduce the harm caused by identity theft and financial fraud.&nbsp;</li></ul>Each of these recommendations is rooted in what we see every day: real threats, real victims, and clear opportunities to strengthen digital safety for all.&nbsp;A path forward&nbsp;Scam prevention requires coordinated action from all parts of society. Technology companies can innovate new defenses, educators can help people recognize risks, and policymakers can adopt frameworks that align incentives and strengthen protections at the national level.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the conversation in Washington evolves, Gen will continue working with federal leaders, consumer advocates, and industry partners to promote practical, effective policy solutions. Our focus will remain on helping ensure that protections keep pace with threats and that Americans can navigate the digital world with confidence.&nbsp;

Gen continues building momentum in Washington

Scam policy in action

At Gen, AI is central to our mission to build a safer digital world. It helps to deliver smarter, faster protection for millions of people worldwide. We’re also using our AI expertise to help people understand, navigate, and benefit from the power of AI, specifically young people in communities around the world.From classrooms to community events, Gen is helping to shape a more informed and empowered future, powered by AI.&nbsp;<h2>Driving Conversations on AI and Digital Citizenship</h2>This fall, Gen co-sponsored Shaping the Future: AI Education and Workforce Development, an event in Washington, D.C., exploring how educators and companies can prepare students for an AI-driven world. Along with Discovery Education and IBM, I shared how Gen integrates AI responsibly across our products and operations and how we’re investing in education to help families, teachers, and young people use AI safely and confidently.I also joined Discovery Education’s Empowering Digital Citizens: A Classroom Initiative for Responsible Online Engagement&nbsp;webinar, which is part of its&nbsp;<a href="https://digitalcitizenship.discoveryeducation.com/">Digital Citizenship Initiative</a>. This event for teachers highlighted how AI intersects with online safety, media literacy and digital responsibility.&nbsp;Iskandar Sanchez-Rola, one of Gen’s AI experts, connected directly with educators in another Discovery Education session, answering their questions about how AI works and what it means for their future. Representatives also joined the webinar from the organization&nbsp;<a href="https://www.halfthestoryproject.com/">#HalfTheStory</a>, the leading youth nonprofit advancing digital wellness through play-based, youth-led, evidence-informed programs. Harveer Saini, who works on the group’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.halfthestoryproject.com/programs/digital-civics-academy">Digital Civics Academy</a>, shared accounts from teenagers about the various ways AI and other technologies are shaping their daily lives, elevating the voices of those young people who often encounter the immediate effects of the technology revolution.&nbsp;The virtual event, part of Discovery Education’s first-ever&nbsp;<a href="https://www.discoveryeducation.com/futures-fair/">Futures Fair</a>, reached more than 600 students across 20 classrooms, and the Futures Fair garnered a total audience of more than 13,000 students through both virtual and in-person events.&nbsp;<h2>Expanding AI Education Through Global Partnerships</h2>Together with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), we’ve brought digital safety education to young people in more than 100 countries. Our flagship&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wagggs.org/en/news/surf-smart-20-launches-new-content-on-artificial-intelligence-and-digital-wellbeing/">Surf Smart 2.0</a> program is a badge-earning course that helps empower girls and young women with digital safety skills. This program was recently updated to include content on understanding AI and using it responsibly.&nbsp;Participants now explore where AI shows up in their online lives—from lifestyle recommendations to chatbots and voice assistants. They discuss how AI shapes what they see, how to think critically about information on their screens and how to spot misinformation. The curriculum also looks at appearance pressure and digital wellbeing, encouraging participants to reflect on how edited images and algorithms make them feel, how to set boundaries with their devices and how to protect their wellbeing while staying connected. Our partnership with Discovery Education also continues to grow with new AI-focused content launching soon as part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://mydigitallife.discoveryeducation.com/">My Digital Life</a> series. This digital literacy program, created in collaboration with Norton and the National Afterschool Association, gives students practical insights about online safety and media literacy. The new animated series introduces Artie Fischal, a fictional character who helps students explore how AI can generate text, images and audio. Through stories and classroom-ready resources, students see both the creative potential of AI and the need to pause, ask questions and check sources before they act.<h2>Leading Responsibly in the AI Age</h2>For Gen, AI isn’t just a tool— it’s a responsibility. We design, test, and deploy AI to help protect people from fraud, scams and other online threats. And through AI education, partnerships and community engagement, we share our insights to help young people, families and communities better understand AI and use it responsibly.&nbsp; &nbsp;For more information on how we reach individuals, families and our communities with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/">2025 Social Impact Report</a>.

Promoting responsible and impactful AI practices

Shaping the Future of AI

Every October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month helps spotlight simple ways people can better protect themselves online. From regular software updates to learning how to spot scams, sometimes the easiest steps can make the biggest difference in the fight to keep our personal data safe and secure.&nbsp;&nbsp;At Gen, we’re sharing digital safety tips through a series of new campaigns with our nonprofit partners, to share the most up-to-date information on how to protect the digital and financial lives of people around the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Promoting Strong Identity Hygiene&nbsp;</h2>We partner with the <a href="https://www.idtheftcenter.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Identity Theft Resource Center</a> (ITRC) to highlight specific risks to personal data and how to combat them. For Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’re focusing on mobile-based scams—why our devices are such common targets for scammers and what we do to protect against them.&nbsp;&nbsp;Many of the same cybersecurity tips that apply to personal computers are helpful for mobile devices: keeping your software up to date, setting complex passwords, and steering clear of phishing scams. But mobile devices can be vulnerable to a range of unique threats, like fraudulent apps from unauthorized stores and lapsed privacy settings on social media. Visit ITRC’s recent <a href="https://www.idtheftcenter.org/post/cybersecurity-awareness-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blog post</a> for more background and to learn what to do if your device is compromised.&nbsp;&nbsp;Tips like these are part of a broader campaign to promote identity hygiene and raise awareness of safe cyber practices for long-term financial wellness, which we believe is more than just budgeting and saving. Identity theft can be a major financial disruptor and learning how to identify scams and protect against cybercrimes are essential tools for financial resilience. &nbsp;<h2>Informing and Empowering Domestic Violence Survivors&nbsp;</h2>Together with the <a href="https://nnedv.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Network to End Domestic Violence</a> (NNEDV), a national voice in the United States for domestic violence survivors and their advocates, we’ve joined the fight against technology abuse, a growing component of domestic violence that often includes online stalking, identity theft or financial abuse.&nbsp;&nbsp;For both Cybersecurity Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we’ve launched a new <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/national-network-to-end-domestic-violence_dvam-csam-activity-7379879030046531585-KLuy?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAAFtbI0B8PsFXlFu9p7Fy9WC_jon5VUXPlk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Digital Safety Toolkit</a>, with specific tips for survivors dealing with various forms of technology abuse.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Additionally, our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/product-donations-domestic-violence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">donation program</a> through our partnership with <a href="https://www.techsoup.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TechSoup</a> has provided more than 3,700 Norton product licenses to domestic violence survivors across the U.S. TechSoup helps facilitate the donations to the <a href="https://www.safesheltercollaborative.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Safe Shelter Collaborative</a>, which in turn delivers the products to survivors through its network of member organizations.  &nbsp;The donated products include Norton 360 Deluxe, which can prevent activity or location tracking, information theft, installation of malicious programs and uninvited changes to devices, and Norton Secure VPN, which protects people’s online privacy by hiding the computer’s address from websites visited from any device.&nbsp;<h2>Bolstering the Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline&nbsp;</h2>As the rate of change in the technology industry continues to accelerate, the need grows for a robust cybersecurity workforce equipped with the skills necessary to keep pace with those changes. To close those skills gaps, we work with organizations like <a href="https://women4cyber.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Women4Cyber</a> to provide women across Europe with training, mentorship, webinars and other educational resources to enter cybersecurity and other IT careers.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This month, Women4Cyber is spotlighting Gen as an employer of choice for many of the women who graduate from their training and mentorship programs. In addition, Břetislav Šopík, our Senior Data Science Manager, appeared at the Women4Cyber Foundation for a presentation on anti-scam protection in SMS messaging, continuing to share the most up-to-date research with Women4Cyber trainees.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For more information on how we reach individuals, families and vulnerable communities with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, visit our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2025 Social Impact Report</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Gen works with nonprofit partners during Cybersecurity Awareness Month to promote and provide online safety

Easy-to-Use Digital Safety Tips

<a href="https://www.moneylion.com/learn/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Financial wellness</a> is a holistic approach to managing money and spending. It isn’t based solely on the size or makeup of a person’s bank account but focuses on managing the stress of finances and helping people find stability they can build on.&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial wellness also goes hand in hand with digital wellness. Safeguarding your identity and protecting banking apps from cybersecurity threats is a vital piece. Identity theft, scams, and cybercrime are not just security issues. They can be major financial disruptors that can derail household stability, delay life milestones, and disproportionately impact vulnerable communities.&nbsp;Gen recently acquired <a href="https://www.moneylion.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MoneyLion</a>, a financial wellness company with a mission to give everyone the power to make their best money decisions—including women, who are often disproportionately displaced from conversations about financial literacy. In fact, MoneyLion’s <a href="https://moneylion.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/pdf/HIW_WhitePaper_Combined_PDF.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2025 Health is Wealth</a> report found that women are more likely to report increased stress and anxiety, and delay or skip mental health care due to inflation than men.&nbsp;&nbsp;To that end, MoneyLion has introduced several tools and channels for women to learn, share strategies and take charge of their financial futures. <a href="https://www.moneylion.com/learn/women-who-roar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Women Who Roar</a> is a dedicated MoneyLion blog where women can find career tips, discuss financial topics and connect on new job opportunities. The blog features success stories from women entrepreneurs, suggestions for how to negotiate better salaries, interactive capabilities that allow women to start conversations and learn from one another’s expertise, and more. <a href="https://www.moneylion.com/learn/introducing-no-stupid-questions-season-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">No Stupid Questions</a>, a similar project, is a video series MoneyLion spearheaded on TikTok with influencer Lea Landaverde. The series answers finance-related questions from real people in under 2 minutes, avoiding jargon and crafting clear, actionable advice.&nbsp;&nbsp;We’re shining a spotlight on these initiatives for Women’s Equality Day to showcase our commitment to empowering women. This annual day of awareness commemorates the passage of women’s suffrage in the United States and aims to uplift and celebrate women, focusing on past achievements and what is needed to make strides in the future. Part of the focus is on the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0049089X22000515" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">wealth gap</a> between men and women, which has been <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7758/rsf.2016.2.6.01?seq=1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">getting wider</a> in the United States. With MoneyLion, we’re working to equip girls and young women with a roadmap to financial wellness and even more importantly, financial equality.&nbsp;To further mark the occasion, Gen has organized volunteer events across the company this fall to support women in our communities. These include a reverse mentoring session with <a href="https://www.girlboss.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GirlBoss New Zealand</a> to engage Gen Z leaders to co-create bold, practical solutions for real-world challenges, and a women-focused public speaking workshop with <a href="https://latinageeks.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">#LatinaGeeks</a> for National Hispanic Heritage Month in October. In addition, our longstanding partners <a href="https://sites.google.com/czechitas.cz/informace-pro-partnery-da/zapojen%C3%AD-partnersk%C3%A9-firmy?authuser=0" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Czechitas</a> and <a href="https://women4cyber.eu/mentorship-programme-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Women4Cyber</a> will launch their mentorship programs’ new cohorts in the coming months, continuing to connect new generations of women with the training they need to succeed in the cybersecurity industry.&nbsp;Gen also continues to carry out our Pledge to the European Commission Digital Skills and Jobs Platform to train more women for success in cybersecurity and continues to build a pipeline of cybersecurity talent through women-focused partnerships with Women4Cyber, Czechitas, Nasscom, and more. For other examples of how we empower women at Gen and in our communities, please read our <a href="https://s201.q4cdn.com/771113172/files/doc_downloads/ESG/2025/06/Gen-Social-Impact_Report_2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2025 Social Impact Report.</a>&nbsp;

How we empower girls and young women to take control of their financial and digital lives

Celebrating the Power of Financial Literacy

Technology is an integral part of the modern classroom. Kids of all ages use new devices to enhance their learning, and these days, that includes artificial intelligence. In 2024, a Harvard University study <a href="https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/24/09/students-are-using-ai-already-heres-what-they-think-adults-should-know" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">found</a> that 51% of young people surveyed have used generative AI, most often to get information or help brainstorm ideas, and 31% use it for its creative potential, like making music or images. While AI has its risks, like scams or inappropriate content, using it responsibly can have significant benefits.&nbsp;That’s why Norton, one of our trusted Cyber Safety brands, partners with the <a href="https://www.wagggs.org/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts</a> (WAGGGS) and has released a new version of the Surf Smart 2.0 curriculum, updated to include information on AI literacy and how to get the most out of AI tools. WAGGGS estimates that the new curriculum and its associated programs has the potential to reach more than 90,000 girls and young women around the world, equipping them with the skills they need to get the most out of their digital lives in an ever-evolving tech landscape.&nbsp;&nbsp;Empowering Girls to Surf Smart&nbsp;Norton has worked with WAGGGS on digital education and training projects for more than a decade. Following the initial Surf Smart program, <a href="https://www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/surf-smart-20/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surf Smart 2.0</a> launched in 2021 as a badge-earning course designed to empower girls and young women with digital safety skills.&nbsp;&nbsp;The program has impacted an estimated 880,000 young people to date, and from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, WAGGGS directly reached more than 219,000 girls and young women with Surf Smart 2.0 digital education programming globally.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Norton continues to provide technical support and curriculum consultations for Surf Smart 2.0, which is available free to all on <a href="https://campfire.wagggs.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Campfire</a>, WAGGGS’ online hub. The latest version, which includes the AI education modules, can be accessed here.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the program continues, it will also expand advocacy opportunities to more girls and young women globally. Through the launch of a new advocacy toolkit and curriculum, Surf Smart will help them design and implement action campaigns and community-led projects designed to make the internet a safer place for girls, addressing issues such as online harassment, digital privacy and gender-based discrimination. Surf Smart has also been shortlisted in the Big Impact category for this year’s <a href="https://www.thirdsectorawards.com/shortlist-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Third Sector Awards</a>, the winners of which will be announced in September. &nbsp;Providing Tools for Digital Safety&nbsp;Our partnership with WAGGGS is a key component of our broader efforts to equip individuals, families and vulnerable and under-resourced communities with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the digital world securely and responsibly.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to our work with nonprofits, we also carry out our purpose to Power Digital Freedom through products like <a href="https://us.norton.com/promo/paid-search/products-norton-360-deluxe-refresh?promocode=BPSOFFER?nortoncountry=us&amp;om_sem_cid=hho_sem_sy:~en-us_nor_n36_sch_brn_exc_nfr_adw_dtp_low:n360_top~c_kw0000000559&amp;cq_src=google_ads&amp;cq_cmp=176037316&amp;cq_net=g&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=176037316&amp;gbraid=0AAAAAD4v9n1TgYhnm-6BSr67OAD7KbvZU&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwprjDBhBTEiwA1m1d0u4DiZuVswRC6EwKQJhT0K8DataykElY-f3V3l0HBfhVCcLqH7llwBoCEUsQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norton 360</a>, which provides real-time protection against scams, viruses, malware and ransomware. This now includes <a href="https://us.norton.com/blog/online-scams/norton-genie" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Genie Scam Protection</a>, an AI-powered defense against scams, as well as a VPN, <a href="https://us.norton.com/feature/parental-control" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Parental Control</a> and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For more digital safety resources as kids head back to school, check out Norton’s recent <a href="https://us.norton.com/blog/family-safety/norton-report-connected-kids" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blog post</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;These grants were awarded from the Gen Foundation, a corporate advised fund of Silicon Valley Community Foundation.&nbsp;

We partner with World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts to kick off the school year digitally safe

Making AI Education Part of Back-to-School Prep

Today, we released our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2025 Social Impact Report</a>, sharing all of the ways we’re powering Digital Freedom for our business, our people and our world. &nbsp;&nbsp;Over the past year, our leaders, teams and partners have come together to deliver real results for communities across the globe. Our education and training programs, as well as our product donation efforts, have meaningfully expanded access to digital tools. And our employees continue to embody the culture of giving that lies at the heart of everything we do.&nbsp;&nbsp;We have refined our report content this year in response to the evolving legal and regulatory environment in the U.S. with respect to sustainability disclosure best practices. Many of our key stakeholders, including our employees, customers, investors and regulators around the world, consider information on our sustainability and social impact programs useful and important to their decision-making processes. This annual public reporting effort is a critical tool to foster trust with these stakeholders and aligns with our core company values.&nbsp;As our industry and our society evolve, our social impact programs continue to add value to our organization in new and unexpected ways. To illustrate this, we’re excited to share just a few highlights from our social impact programs, which you can read more about in our report.&nbsp;&nbsp;Powering Digital Freedom&nbsp;We empower nearly 500 million users with our award-winning technology solutions that help protect their personal information, finances and more so they can live their digital lives confidently.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to blocking more than 14.5 billion attacks in the last year and devoting 8% of our revenue to research and development, we reached 8,780 nonprofits with free or significantly discounted products, extending cutting-edge protections to organizations serving critical community functions around the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We also demonstrated dedication to strong governance structures and ethical leadership, which foster accountability, transparency and long-term sustainability across our operations. 80% of our Board of Directors are independent, and 100% of active employees completed our annual Code of Conduct training, and we expanded our approach to and tools for responsible artificial intelligence.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Powering passion and purpose&nbsp;Everything at Gen starts with our people. We come to work every day with a sense of shared passion and purpose that encourages collaboration, enables growth and drives outcomes.&nbsp;&nbsp;This year, we expanded Learn@Gen, our Learning and Development strategy, which combines regular coaching and performance feedback with flexible, self-guided eLearning opportunities. We also launched Leading@Gen, a new program providing regular on-site learning experiences for our People Leaders.&nbsp;&nbsp;Efforts like these continue to result in high engagement. More than 97%1 of team members participated in our global Engage surveys, conducted periodically throughout the year, and they gave the company a +28 eNPS score for how likely they are to recommend Gen as a place of work for family and friends.&nbsp;Powering protection at scale&nbsp;As a leader in consumer Cyber Safety and Trust-Based Solutions, we equip individuals, families and vulnerable communities with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate the digital world securely and responsibly.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In partnership with leading nonprofits like Discovery Education, National PTA and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, we reached more than 5.4 million children, young people, teachers, parents and family members with our digital education and training efforts in 2025. And nearly 67% of our global employee population participated in our volunteering and giving programs, our highest participation rate on record.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Protecting our world also means helping protect the planet. We’ve successfully reduced our Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 12% in the last year alone, and we completed more than 2,000 projects as part of our Sustainable Home Improvement Program for employees.&nbsp;&nbsp;We believe technology and the internet, when used safely, are some of our world’s most powerful tools for progress. To learn more about how we turn this belief into action, we invite you to read more in our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2025 Social Impact Report</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Powering Digital Freedom for our teams, communities and world 

Our 2025 social impact report is available now

At Gen, we’re committed to creating an environment where each person can be heard and valued. Embracing a variety of perspectives fuels our innovation and strengthens us as a team, allowing everyone to continue to learn from each other. June marks LGBTQ+ Pride Month, a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and progress made in the struggle for equal rights while reflecting on the work still needed to achieve full inclusion.&nbsp;&nbsp;Since its founding in 2011, the <a href="https://www.pridebusinessforum.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pride Business Forum</a> (PBF) has collaborated with businesses across Czechia to make their workplaces more supportive for LGBTQ+ people. The organization provides workshops, toolkits and other resources to help companies foster positive corporate cultures as well as policies and programs that work for everyone.&nbsp;&nbsp;Avast, one of our Cyber Safety brands, has been a member of the Pride Business Forum since 2020. Our support, which includes donations to the PBF Fund, enhances the organization’s work to create safe spaces for LGBTQ+ professionals throughout Czechia, where acceptance of queer individuals remains a challenge. &nbsp;&nbsp;“Many of us still have to hide in workplaces,” Czeslaw Walek, Chairman of PBF’s Board of Trustees, said at a recent <a href="https://www.pridebusinessforum.com/en/novinky/pride-business-forum-cocktail-a-powerful-night-for-lgbtq-support/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">event</a>. “And in small towns, there isn’t always support. We need businesses and communities to stand by us.”&nbsp;Through our partnership, PBF provides our teams with training sessions led by their in-house experts, consulting hours for Gen HR professionals to ask specific questions and the opportunity to join multiple knowledge-sharing events, including the annual <a href="https://www.pridebusinessforum.com/en/events/past-present-pride-the-annual-pride-business-forum-conference-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pride Business Forum Conference</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our contributions also support PBF’s efforts to elevate LGBTQ+ experiences in Czechia, such as the organization’s live <a href="https://www.pridebusinessforum.com/en/voices-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Voices</a> series. This series features stories from professionals across industries who have come out at work and awards for companies leading the charge for LGBTQ+ workplace equality.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition to these efforts, we support <a href="https://www.thetrevorproject.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Trevor Project</a> and <a href="https://www.trevorspace.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrevorSpace</a>, the organization’s affirming online community for LGBTQ+ young people. TrevorSpace has welcomed 37,500 new users over the past year, bringing its total number of lifetime users to more than 690,000 in more than 200 countries.&nbsp;&nbsp;For more on how we help all of our employees thrive at work, check out our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/inclusion-and-belonging/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belonging strategy</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Our work with Pride Business Forum supports LGBTQ+ employees in Czechia

Fostering positive corporate cultures

In 2024, we’ve seen Gen make a positive impact on a global scale. Over the past fiscal year, we reached more than 5.3 million people with our Cyber Safety education and training efforts, and more than 55% of our team members participated in Giving@Gen programs, supporting meaningful causes with our time and expertise.&nbsp;&nbsp;In light of these achievements, we’re proud that Gen has received several distinguished honors that recognize the difference we’re able to make together, including:&nbsp;<ul><li><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-most-responsible-companies-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies for 2025</a>&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-greatest-workplaces-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces 2024</a>&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/americas-greatest-workplaces-parents-families-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents &amp; Families 2024</a> &nbsp;</li></ul>We also won two <a href="https://communitasawards.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Communitas Awards</a> for our environmental sustainability initiatives and our work with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Gathering Insights from Experts and the Public&nbsp;</h2>Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies list for 2025 surveys 26,000 U.S. residents asking them to evaluate the country’s top 2,000 companies’ corporate citizenship reputations. Newsweek then examines the companies’ ESG programs based on more than 30 Performance Indicators. Against these criteria, Gen ranked 13th in our industry and 328th overall.&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents &amp; Families is based on data from more than 250,000 employees across the United States, including 113,000 working parents, who reviewed categories such as working environment, compensation &amp; benefits, and work-life balance. On the resulting list of one thousand companies, Gen received a 4.5 rating out of 5. Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces list followed a similar methodology, interviewing more than 250,000 employees across 78 sectors, and we received a 4-star rating out of 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Protecting the Planet and Our Communities&nbsp;</h2>Gen also received two “Excellence in Corporate Responsibility” Communitas Awards in 2024. Winning in the <a href="https://enter.amcpros.com/communitas/entry/gens-partnership-with-the-world-association-of-girl-guides-and-girl-scouts/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“Making a Difference” category</a> was our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/surf-smart-2024" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">partnership</a> with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), which provides the tools, skills and resources that girls and young women need to stay safe online and lead healthy digital lives. Norton, one of our trusted Cyber Safety brands, provides technical support for the <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/day-of-the-girl-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Surf Smart 2.0</a>, a badge earning course in digital citizenship, and Gen team members volunteered in person at this year’s Surf Smart 2.0 Program event at WAGGGS’ World Centre in Pune, India.In addition, our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/environment/seal-sustainability-awards-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sustainability Home Improvement Program</a> (SHIP) took home the honor for <a href="https://enter.amcpros.com/communitas/entry/gens-sustainable-home-improvement-program-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Green Initiatives</a>. This benefit provides funding for Gen team members looking to make their homes more environmentally friendly. More than 29% of our global employee population participated in fiscal 2024. This led to the funding of more than 1,000 home sustainability projects, such as home solar systems, appliance upgrades, home gardens and more.&nbsp;For more information about how we Power Digital Freedom, check out our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 Social Impact Report</a>.

Gen honored by Newsweek and Communitas

Gen Receives Top Awards for its Efforts to Power Digital Freedom

Technology is evolving at such a rapid pace that it can feel difficult to keep up with how to stay safe online. As we discussed in our most recent <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/news/innovation/q2-2024-threat-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Threat Report</a>, the threat landscape is accelerating quickly. But it’s important to remember that there are simple, effective ways to reduce our exposure to digital dangers and make our time online more secure. That’s what this year’s <a href="https://staysafeonline.org/programs/cybersecurity-awareness-month/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cybersecurity Awareness Month</a> is all about.&nbsp;&nbsp;Every October, Cybersecurity Awareness Month educates people all over the world about online safety and empowers them to protect their data from cybercrime. Companies, nonprofits, government agencies and more come together to raise awareness of common and emerging cyber threats, as well as the steps we can take to keep our personal information out of harm’s way.&nbsp; &nbsp;Simple Steps to ‘Secure Our World’&nbsp;This year’s theme for Cybersecurity Awareness Month is “Secure Our World,” focusing on the top four ways to protect yourself, your family and your business from online threats. These include:&nbsp;<ul><li>Using strong passwords and a password manager&nbsp;</li><li>Turning on multi-factor authentication&nbsp;</li><li>Recognizing and reporting phishing&nbsp;</li><li>Updating software&nbsp;</li></ul>Password security is also about more than choosing the right combination of letters and numbers. Petra Dlabalová is an alum of one of the training programs at <a href="https://www.czechitas.cz/en-2/courses" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Czechitas</a>, an organization helping women in Czechia build digital skills and transition into the tech industry. Petra reminds us that threats to our passwords can emerge in the physical world, as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;

To learn more about how to protect yourself, your family and your business online this Cybersecurity Awareness Month, check out blog posts on <a href="https://us.norton.com/blog/privacy/what-is-2fa" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">two-factor authentication</a>, <a href="https://us.norton.com/blog/online-scams/what-is-phishing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spotting phishing</a>, <a href="https://lifelock.norton.com/learn/identity-theft-resources/how-to-prevent-identity-theft" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">identity theft</a> and <a href="https://blog.avast.com/your-data-is-under-siege.-heres-how-to-win-the-war" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">data privacy</a> from Norton, LifeLock and Avast three of our trusted Cyber Safety brands. &nbsp;Diversifying the Cybersecurity Workforce&nbsp;One of the ways we make sure that Cyber Safety skills are in the hands of as many people as possible is by promoting women in tech. Czechitas is just one example of the leading global nonprofits we partner with to expand Cyber Safety education. We also work closely with <a href="https://women4cyber.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Women4Cyber</a>, with whom we recently <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/tech-gendergap" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pledged</a> to help close the gender gap in Europe’s cybersecurity industry through extended support of their mentoring programs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Nikola Groverová, Senior Data Scientist, recently joined a panel on AI at the second annual <a href="https://women4cyber.eu/conference-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Women4Cyber Conference</a> at the Louwman Museum in The Hague, a prominent hub for cybersecurity expertise. &nbsp;

We also partner year-round with <a href="https://www.nasscomfoundation.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">nasscom foundation</a>, an organization doing similar work across India, including in <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/blog/impact/community/india-impact-women-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rural communities</a>. We recently heard from Chandana and Meghna Nerella, twin sisters who completed nasscom foundation’s Upskilling Women Engineers in Cybersecurity program, supported by Gen. They spoke about not only the impact of the program but also the core themes of Cybersecurity Awareness Month.&nbsp;&nbsp;“The Cybersecurity Program has been a turning point for both of us,” they said.&nbsp;

For more information on our Cyber Safety education and training efforts, read our <a href="https://www.gendigital.com/us/en/social-impact/social-impact-report/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2024 Social Impact Report</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kim Allman

Posts by Kim Allman