The first annual Sandbox Summit, held at CES 2008 in Las Vegas, demonstrated a high degree of interest in the next generation of digital consumers — our kids. Better still, it demonstrated high interest in making sure that there will be high quality products that encourage innovation, exploration and creativity.

Equally as important … attendees had a blast.

We’ll be using this space to post some of the photos from CES so come back and visit off.

Worth Waking Up For: The morning kick off was powered by Nickelodeon’s muffins, coffee and Leigh Anne Brodsky, president of Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products. Brodsky spoke of played like kids but who loved using adult-like digital toys. Nick introduced a line of kids consumer electronics equipment including a Sponge Bob camera this fall.

Elmo Steals Show: Keynote speeches take on a new meaning when Sesame Street’s Elmo delivers them. Elmo (along with the voice of Kevin Clash) and some inspiring words from Terry Fitzpatrick of Sesame Street Workshop stole the show.

Claire Green, President of Parents’ Choice, reminds us that kids are teething on remote controls.

Editor’s Note. Microsoft was one of the first corporations to step up to the Internet Safety challenge, and over the year’s they’ve created a number of educational and technological aids for parents and kids. This report from Microsoft talks about some of the new tools and resources that help parents make the right decisions. (more…)