Leah Plunkett

Biography

Leah is a leading expert on digital law and digital life in our K-12 schools, our homes, and our civic organizations that serve kids and teens. She is an associate dean & professor at University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, a faculty associate at the Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society at Harvard University, and author of SHARENTHOOD: Why We Should Think Before We Talk About Our Kids Online (MIT Press). WIRED named SHARENTHOOD a “Must-Read” book because it “illuminates children’s digital footprints” and guides teachers, parents, and other trusted adults on how and why to better protect children’s digital privacy. Leah brings compassion, clarity, sound legal judgment, and a sense of humor to unpacking the many cutting-edge, complex questions about youth and the digital world that educators, parents, and other decision-makers are confronting—including protecting digital privacy, the role of kids as influencers or members of influencer families, and how to fight fake news and promote digital literacy. She is an honors graduate of Harvard Law School and Harvard College, where she performed improvisational comedy with IGP.

Leah lives in Concord, NH, with her husband, two young kids, and dog. She is an everyday runner and around-the-clock Earl Grey tea drinker.

Videos

Request Availability

Testimonials

Unlike accounts either demonizing or defending social media, Plunkett charts an original course in asking adults, and urging law, to embrace youth as a time for experimentation. This book offers tools to empower youth and a nuanced, cogent assessment of the challenges in protecting privacy in the digital age.

– Rachel Rebouché - Associate Dean for Research, Professor of Law / Temple University Beasley School of Law.

Plunkett, a lawyer with experience defending young clients, provides a much-needed perspective on the rise of 'sharenting,' which she defines as the sharing of a child's private information through digital platforms. With an eye for history, a critique of the US legal system, and a penchant for storytelling, in this book she offers parents, caregivers, educators, and citizens important insights on how best to navigate the digital terrain.

– Lynn Schofield Clark - Author of The Parent App: Understanding Families in a Digital Age

A fascinating and frightening addition to the literature on the technological reconstruction of childhood and parenting. Plunkett details how taken-for-granted adult data-sharing behaviors, legally sanctioned and cynically encouraged by tech companies, constrain what our children are and can become. She sounds a loud warning—and proposes a significant cultural reorientation. We would be wise to listen!

– Joshua Meyrowitz - Professor Emeritus of Media Studies / University of New Hampshire; author of No Sense of Place: The Impact of Electronic Media on Social Behavior

In Sharenthood, Leah Plunkett deftly explores the challenges inherent in raising children in the digital age, from the unique perspective of a legal scholar. Rather than fear-mongering about what anonymous bad guys might do to our children, she notes what we, ourselves, as parents already are doing every day—often for no reward greater than 'likes.' The book is a bracing and provocative look at the present and a prescient warning about our potential futures.

– Dorothy Fortenberry - Writer/producer, The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu

Plunkett is describing a set of questions, about data and privacy, that many of us already grapple with. Yet it all seems particularly nefarious in the context of children, for whom a defining condition of life is that they are captive to forces they cannot possibly grasp.... [Sharenthood's] most gripping moments come when she imagines scenarios that seem both far-fetched and, when you think more deeply about the direction of technological innovation, a bit inevitable.

– Hua Hsu - The New Yorker

Illuminating and common sense.... Reveals the alarming ways your family's data can be used and distributed, and advocates for a more thoughtful approach to how we parent your digital-era offspring.

– Mary Elizabeth Williams - Salon

One of 13 Must-Read Books for Fall Leah Plunkett illuminates children's digital footprints: the digital baby monitors, the daycare livestreams, the nurse's office health records, the bus and cafeteria passes recording their travel and consumption patterns―all part of an indelible dossier for anyone who knows how to look for it. Plunkett thinks the offspring surveillance ought to stop and has suggestions for how to kick the sharenting habit. They are worth considering.

– Emma Grey Ellis - Wired

A fascinating and frightening addition to the literature on the technological reconstruction of childhood and parenting. Plunkett details how taken-for-granted adult data-sharing behaviors, legally sanctioned and cynically encouraged by tech companies, constrain what our children are and can become. She sounds a loud warning―and proposes a significant cultural reorientation. We would be wise to listen!

– Joshua Meyrowitz - Professor Emeritus of Media Studies / University of New Hampshire; author of No Sense of Place: The Impact of Electronic Media on Social Behavior

Booksby Leah Plunkett

SharentHood

For Meeting Planners

Photos

Speaker Documents

Speaking Topics

Request Availability

Blog Posts

Five Essential Traits of an Exceptional Keynote Speaker

🎤✨ Event pros, you know the right keynote speaker can make all the difference. Selecting...

Mental Health Awareness: The Mark of a Modern Workplace

🌎✨ As we recognize World Mental Health Day, we're shining a spotlight on critical mental...

What’s Holding You Back from Managing Your Energy Effectively?

Have you ever wanted to get more energy in your day-to-day activities? https://youtu.be/hltabhE0QRM Have you...

Use Improv as a Mindfulness Practice and Improve your Well-Being

🌟 Mental Fitness Through Improv & Mindfulness 🌟 https://youtu.be/xuAhzUGZ438 Mental fitness is not just about...

Innovative Event Strategies to Inspire Your Attendees with Courtney Mesmer

https://youtu.be/1erTgGFdyW8 Watch this week’s podcast episode here: YouTube • Spotify • Apple Podcasts • Amazon...

Valuable Life Lessons from Parenting & Overcoming Failures

Learn valuable life lessons from overcoming failure and parenting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJTIi-nhq60&list=PLXTlGHk63lLgbS8LN-PENXDzwMdqWAnOm "Life’s greatest lessons come from...

Related Speakers

Jeff Havens Professional Development Expert, Trainer and Founder of The Jeff Havens Company

Cheryl Cran Future of Work Influencer, Founder of NextMapping™/NextMapping.com, CEO of Synthesis at Work Inc.

Kate O'Neill Known as the “Tech Humanist,” Founder and CEO of KO Insights, Technology Thought Leader

Doug Lynam Investment Advisor, Industry Thought Leader in Ethical and Sustainable Investing, Former Benedictine Monk

Neale Godfrey Preeminent Thought Leader in Family Financial Literacy, “Kids & Money” Pioneer, Board Advisor, Entrepreneur

Reviews & Ratings

     EXCELLENT  
     Based on 74 reviews 
    
 
 
   
 
 
        
   Tim Mooney 
 August 20, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth was on point and tremendous help before and after the event! Two thumbs up!
  
 
       
   Anthony Veneziale 
 August 14, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth is the real deal -- he knows the best speakers to make sure your event is successful. I've had the pleasure of working with Seth and The Keynote Curators and he's top notch. Also, his podcast is chock full of great insights and important topics. Thanks Seth!!
  
 
       
   M.D Milloy 
 August 8, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth is a great host, very inspirational and professional. Highly recommend!
  
 
       
   Aaron Farzam 
 August 3, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Keynote speaker searches have been overwhelmingl for me and my team.  Seth made the process easy.  Our expectations were exceeded. Great company. Highly recommended.
  
 
       
   Dante Fabro 
 July 29, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Keynote Speaker knowledge is unrivaled by Seth Dechtman and his team at The Keynote Curators.  If your event or conference requires a keynote speaker, call The Keynote Curators.  They are thorough and deliver the goods.  Seth makes sure that you get what you are looking for...in spades. Not to mention, Seth is very down to earth and speaks to people as equals. I really appreciate that. I'd recommend The Keynote Curators any day!
  
 
       
   Jamie Wright 
 July 25, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Found out about these folks through The Keynote Curators podcast - really great stuff!!
  
 
       
   Alison Levine 
 July 10, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great podcast with a wide variety of speakers, topics, and themes. You can learn something unexpected from every episode!
  
 
       
   Victoria Matey 
 June 27, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had the pleasure of joining the Keynote Curators podcast as a guest. My experience collaborating with Seth and his team was great - fast, efficient, and most importantly, they are all wonderful human beings!
  
 
       
   Justin Chaffee 
 June 20, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The Keybnote Curators and Seth Dechtman are a class act.

Timely, professional, and most of all hit the mark. Cannot recommend them with more emphasis.

If you need a speaker for your event conference or any program, do not hesitate to contact Seth and his team.
  
 
       
   Brandon Grimm 
 June 12, 2024
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Seth Deckman is the only Keynote Curator you’re ever going to need for your events and conferences that require the best Keynote speakers. His attention to detail and true concern about meeting your event’s needs to go above and beyond. I cannot recommend him highly enough call him as soon as you have your speaker need for your next conference or meeting.