Ray Pastore Contributes to National Dialogue on Internet Safety for Kids

Ray Pastore has become a frequent contributor to the national conversation about internet safety for children, sharing his expertise through articles and media interviews on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to protecting kids from online scams.

Pastore is a professor of instructional technology at UNCW’s Watson College of Education. He serves on the editorial board of, and is a frequent contributor to, Verizon’s Parenting in a Digital World, a publication that partners with the Family Online Safety Institute to provide articles and advice to help families navigate today’s complex technology landscape.

Pastore’s July article, A busy parent guide to students using AI, garnered significant attention. On Aug. 15, he was featured on KTLA 5 in Southern California in a segment, This is What College Professors Expect You to Know About AI!. On Aug. 18, he appeared on WECT in a segment titled Shaping the Future: How AI is Redefining the Modern Classroom.

Pastore was also interviewed by local media outlets in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Orlando and Charleston, West Virginia, for back-to-school features on technology.

His most recent article, How to protect kids online from 5 common internet scams, was published in September. Pastore was interviewed for a segment on WTHI-TV in Indiana, titled “How to protect kids from online scams as screen time increases in the new school year,” which aired Sept. 16. He was also interviewed by WTVQ-DT in Lexington, Kentucky.

“As a parent of three boys and a professor of technology, the subject is really important to me,” Pastore said. “Rapid advancements in technology are exciting, but they can also be scary for parents who are just trying to keep their kids safe. I really enjoy sharing insights that blend the joys of parenthood with the wonders of technology.”

Pastore has taught instructional technology courses for more than 20 years. He currently serves as coordinator of WCE’s online teaching and learning and esports programs. He also maintains a YouTube channel with millions of views. In 2023, he was named one of EdTech Magazine’s Higher Ed IT Influencers to Follow.

An avid gamer, Pastore founded UNCW’s Esports Club in 2019. Earlier this year, he co-authored a report providing guidance for AI use in esports training and competition. The report was released by the International Esports Federation in January 2026.

About Watson’s Instructional Technology Programs

UNCW’s Watson College of Education offers a Master of Science in Instructional Technology (MIT) that prepares professionals for careers in the $110 billion educational technology industry. Post-baccalaureate certificate programs are also available in Instructional Technology, AI-Enhanced Technologies, Multimedia and Instructional Web Development, and Online Teaching and Learning.

Courses combine rigorous instruction with applied learning experiences, allowing students to build real-world skills before graduation. With six start dates each year and accelerated pathways, students can begin their programs when it is convenient and complete them efficiently.

The college also offers a graduate certificate in Esports. For undergraduate students, WCE offers a minor in Online Teaching and Learning and an Esports certificate program.

For more information, visit the Instructional Technology website.