Hi! I’m Valerie Báez Vásquez, a curious legal mind navigating the evolving and challenging world of digital media. Currently in the first term of my master of Digital Media and Global Communications at the University of Niagara Falls, I am passionate about exploring how law, technology, and communication intersect in today’s digital landscape.
This website is an extension of my Capstone Project, where I analyze how emerging technologies impact children’s digital experiences. From deepfakes to persuasive algorithms, my research focuses on how young users interact with digital content and how we can implement policies and educational strategies to empower them.
SmartMedia Lab serves as a practical platform to translate these academic insights into action, offering resources, advocacy, and awareness campaigns that align with my research.
This project is in its first stage, and I am working on the structure and the plan, but you still can have a look at some outlines and key points.
Digital manipulation and misinformation are shaping how children perceive reality. With emerging technologies like AI, deepfakes, and hyper-personalized content, young users are constantly exposed to persuasive digital environments that blur the lines between truth and fabrication.
Understanding these risks is crucial to building a safer digital future. Through education, advocacy, and ethical tech policies, we can equip children with the tools to navigate online spaces critically and responsibly
At SmartMedia Lab, we advocate for transparency and ethical digital design that protects young users. We aim to:
Raise awareness about manipulative digital practices.
Promote media literacy through research-based educational tools.
Encourage ethical policy changes for child-focused digital spaces.