Power of Zero: Online safety skills from day one

In this episode of Doing Tech Right, Larry  talks with Nicholas Carlisle, CEO of Power of Zero, about childhood moving online and the rapid spread of AI as a transformative “general purpose technology.”

Carlisle explains the origin of Power of Zero’s name and its focus on helping children use technology responsibly with “zero violence and zero bullying” from an early age. They discuss very young children’s screen exposure, World Health Organization guidance on limiting screen time for ages 2–5, and the importance of avoiding displacement of face time and physical play.

The conversation also covers the harms of passive scrolling, online harassment—especially targeting young women.

Carlisle outlines Power of Zero’s education-first approach, including its Superpowers Program teaching 12 character strengths for kindergarten through third grade.

00:00 Welcome to Doing Tech Right

00:29 Meet Nicholas Carlisle

01:04 Childhood Goes Online

02:03 AI as a Mega Shift

03:55 Why Power of Zero

05:24 Screens and Tiny Kids

08:04 Healthy Screen Balance

10:25 Passive vs Active Online