Trigger warning******You are about to learn how giving your child a phone changes the way they treat others. By Summer, 12yrs. A member of our Youth Voice Team. I love going to school. Getting up each morning and getting ready for the day excites me and I can’t wait for what the day might bring. Sprint training with the girls at lunch, changing up seats in class, and practising our speeches, I love it all! But as I walk the short distance to school, my excitement soon turns to dread as I remember the teasing, the taunting and the hurtful whispers from the day before. And the day before that. And the day before that. The reason for this nastiness? Mobile phones – the main source of segregation between kids. As you can probably tell, I don’t have a mobile phone. My mum says I don’t need one but what she doesn’t realise, is that kids from my school have been getting mobile phones since they were 8. When she says that I have no use for a phone because of my busy sports schedule and the importance of connecting with friends and family in real life, I kind of get what she’s saying, but I wish your kids could understand that too, because what you might not realise is that when you give your child a phone at such an early age, they are getting the impression that they are above others. That they can treat those without, as less than. And that’s exactly how they make me feel on a daily basis. You see, your kids are using their phones as a sort of social currency. Those with the latest iPhone are at the top, and then is does down based on the type of phone they have and then the access to a phone. Those kids without a phone are looked over, removed from conversations and not invited to participate in activities. Social media is viewed as a popular kids activity – if you aren’t on it, you’re a loser. And trust me, I know, because this is what your kids are saying to me almost every single day… I don’t have social media so I’m not in any of the Year 6 group chats. As such, it’s not uncommon for me to get to school and kids are talking about something that happened the night before on Snapchat. Some of my friends will brag about being up until 3am because they were getting ‘so many Snaps’, whilst others will go on and on about the new ‘boyfriend’ they met or about how such-and-such took pictures of herself in her bra and sent it out to everyone in her friends list. There’s lots of fun and funny moments that I don’t get to be part of and because kids know that I’m not, they like to make sure I feel it too. Countless times every day I get asked how many ‘Snaps’ I got yesterday or what my Snap Score is (I don’t even know what this is!), followed by fits of laughter. This might not seem like much to you as a parent, but trust me, at 12 years old, being laughed at after already feeling left out can feel absolutely horrible. Your kids think all of this is hilarious, but they very clearly have no idea what can happen on Snapchat. The thought of a stranger being able to see pictures of me and sharing them with people I don’t know is so scary. I don’t want any part of it but I also don’t deserve to be made fun of for it. ‘I got a phone for my birthday. You didn’t’ Birthdays are an exciting day for everybody no matter how old or young you are. But one common theme that I have noticed within my school is that kids no longer seem to get the usual things for their birthday like a bike, a football, or a book. More often than not, they will come to school raving about the fact that they just got a mobile phone or an iPad or some other form of technology. I’m not saying it’s bad to get some form of device, but it’s the way that they use them to make other people feel bad. For example, just last week a girl in my grade turned 12 and she got an iPhone for her birthday. When me and a large group of girls were standing in a group talking, she announced loudly that she got a brand-new iPhone and can now be a part of the Year 6 group chat. This was no big deal as everyone was really happy it was her birthday, but then she decided to turn her birthday device into a weapon to embarrass me in front of everybody standing there. She pointed at me and said, “But Summer can’t, because she doesn’t have a phone!” and laughed really loudly, as did many other kids. What starts off as a celebration, almost always ends in a dig at someone else. ‘Can’t your parents afford a phone?’ On my own birthday a few months ago, I was so excited to get to school to tell my friends about the snorkelling experience at Moreton Bay that mum and dad got me as a gift, but as I was telling my friends all about it, a boy from another class overheard and jumped in loudly saying ‘Gosh, didn’t your parents finally get you a phone? Can’t they afford it?’ I was really taken aback by his question as I had never considered the fact that not having a phone made people think that my family was poor. If my mum knew this, this would make her so sad as her reasons for not getting me a phone just yet have nothing to do with money and everything to do with my safety and wellbeing. It’s so common for kids to use a parent or a parent’s decision to make fun of another kid. Whether it’s a parent’s weight, what they do for a living, or now, whether they own a mobile phone, kids always find a way to make themselves seem above another and it really really hurts. ‘You need to have a TikTok account to be able to do it’. Whenever there’s buzz going around about a new TikTok dance, I get really excited to learn it as I love music and I love to dance. The girls in class are often seen sitting in their chairs doing dances, looking like they have ants in their pants, laughing and smiling. It looks like so much fun. When I ask what the dance is called or how to do it, my friends are always more than happy to teach it to me at lunch, but other girls will pull the ‘you need to have a TikTok account to do it’ line and laugh at me like I‘m a loser for not having it. Sometimes they’ll follow it up by asking me if I can learn it on YouTube and start laughing. ‘Put your hand up if you’ve got Instagram!’ This is super common in a group setting and I honestly couldn’t even tell you how many times this has been brought up. Again, it’s just another way that kids are making fun of others. It’s also a really common App that people use to scam people and groom kids. I’m only 12, and having a mobile phone right now isn’t a big priority for me. Yes, I do feel left out and sometimes wish I had one just so there’d be nothing left to tease me about but really, I’m too busy doing things outside. Like I’ve realised, thanks to mum, is I much prefer real life connections with friends and family – I just wish your kids felt the same too.

It's a terrible name but something we all need to know about now! Please share with your friends and family. Pig butchering become an all-too-common online scam. And there's little the growing number of victims can do. Pig butchering is a blend of catfishing and cryptocurrency scams. It's named after a technique where scammers fatten up their victims (metaphorically) before taking all of their money "nose to tail", meaning the whole lot. The scam has since spread globally, ensnaring unsuspecting victims worldwide and garnishing billions of dollars. It is a big business and getting bigger. You can do some things to keep safe, but you must understand how it works first. How it happens The scammer reaches out; it may be an SMS, LinkedIn or Instagram message. They often pretend they dialled or texted the wrong number. But if you respond with "Sorry, I think you have texted/called the wrong number, they respond and start a conversation. It could be something like, "It's Kirra. I will be late to pick my son up from daycare" or similar that will grab you so you will more than likely respond and say, "Hey, sorry wrong number". They will then say, "Hey, thanks, nice to meet you how is your day" or similar to start a conversation. These scammers are psych specialists who know how to provoke an emotional reaction and tug at our heartstrings. Through prolonged conversations, the scammer builds a close relationship with the victim. And it can be months and months. Sharing personal stories and maybe a photo here and there of their life. Conversations soon turn to their somewhat luxurious lifestyle, stepping it up all the way, starting small and growing thanks to a magical crypto trading platform. Once trust is cemented, they introduce their victim to this platform, promising high returns. They will often get you to invest around $500 or less at first into a well-known and legitimate-looking crypto account showing a small return to entice you to invest more. But as you are encouraged to invest more and more, they will continue to show you returns through a completely doctored account until you are completely drained of funds. Once the scammer has what they want, they disappear. There is so much of this happening you will not get your money back. Police prioritise investigations over seven figures, so you may be on your own if you lose $10-50K. Several red flags can help you identify a potential pig butchering scam. Unsolicited texts from unknown numbers consider this stranger danger Rapid progression of the relationship/friendship Constant avoidance of video calls or meetings but happy to send photos Promotions of crypto platforms High guaranteed returns How to protect yourself Do not engage in conversations online or via SMS with people you do not know no matter how much the "wrong number" text pulls at your heartstrings. Avoid extensive conversations with strangers online through messages on LinkedIn, Whatsapp etc. LinkedIn is full of scammers now, so do not connect with people you do not know; if you do, be very cautious. Before investing, research the platform or application being promoted. Check it from multiple angles. Avoid links "sent by a friend" on their social media accounts. Patch, Patch, Patch. Set your devices to auto-update any application updates because these security patches are your first line of defence. Implement MFA or 2FA Multifactor or at least two-factor authentication. Steps if you fall victim if you suspect you've been scammed. Screenshots, transaction records, and any other correspondence. Report the scam to your local police and financial institutions. If you've shared personal or financial information, take steps to protect your assets and identity by changing passwords, cancelling credit cards, etc. Be vigilant, be cautious and don't talk to strangers!

A few weeks ago, I held a webinar for teachers called "Navigating AI in Education" there were more than 400 hundred that attended. This rapidly evolving technology is no longer knocking at the classroom door; it has taken a seat at a desk and is actively participating. The various state governments have instituted policies aimed at achieving this balance, but I have real concerns these may continue to inadvertently widen the digital divide and delay students' digital literacy development. The screenshot above is what is happening right now on American education forums. Recently, the NSW Dept Premier and Education Minister stated, "The success of AI will depend on teachers being equipped with the skills to explain how the technology works and challenge anything it generates, including any biases. In NSW, we have placed a temporary restriction on the use of AI tools like ChatGPT until the rules of AI in schools are drawn up in time for implementation next year." This move is a cautious one, aiming to equip educators with the necessary skills to guide AI usage effectively and ethically. However, this pause in AI use in state schools could place students at least six months behind their counterparts in other schools where AI integration is progressing at pace. And by the way, remember the kids are already using it - so are their teachers. Yesterday I had a Teacher from an independent school tell me about a project a student was doing in social studies about the social impacts of Ai chatbots. The student was doing the project on their phone, using Snapchat's "My AI". Even though most are suffering from "change fatigue" adapting and integrating new tools is critical, especially in education. We need to prepare students for their future, not our past; The challenge lies in educating about managing these tools responsibly and ensuring their benefits are maximised while mitigating potential drawbacks. We need to do this now. My calendar is filling up with bookings to help schools reign in use and teach ethics and appropriate use by implementing guidelines and education that I am writing for them in critical AI Literacy, building the foundations of safe use and teaching teachers how to teach AI Ethics and associated Cyber Safety risk. I have developed a downloadable program for schools to use in classrooms that does not breach restrictions but will keep them up to date. In question time during the webinar and in all of the presentations I have given in schools over the past month, it is abundantly clear that any restrictions by Australian State Governments are being ignored by students who are using Snapchats "MY Ai" for homework, and Teachers using ChatGPT, Dall-e and Midjourney. Some Teachers do not understand potentially massive privacy breaches that could affect their job. I am taking multiple bookings each week for "Ethics, Cyber Safety and Ai" face-to-face talks and bookings for Zoom sessions and pre-records are the most popular talks on my schedule for conferences and in the classroom. ChatGPT snuck up while we weren't looking. We should have been prepared. It has taken 16yrs to get a state-wide policy in place around the fact that smartphones may not be a good idea in schools. In a rapidly evolving tech sector, delays in integrating these tools and guidelines for their use can have significant implications. A six-month delay might not seem long, but in the tech world, this could have big consequences for some students and teachers. This delay could potentially impact their future educational and career opportunities as AI literacy becomes increasingly important in our global economy. While the intent behind these policies is commendable, striking the right balance is key, and waiting six months is too long. It's vital to ensure these temporary setbacks do not lead to a long-term disadvantage for students and teachers. It is vital to get youth at the table and those of us who hear what is happening at the coal face daily, not making assumptions from a government office somewhere or through a survey of only a thousand students. I would be happy to be involved. My face-to-face bookings are full now until February 2024 and I am taking bookings for then and further out. If you are planning ahead get in touch. I have time available in my calendar for bookings via Zoom for Teacher training and pre-records for students. Our lesson packs can be found through the links below and are licensed for whole school use....more of these lesson packs are coming soon. https://www.safeonsocial.com/shop https://www.safeonsocial.com/current-events To book "Navigating Ethics and Cyber Safety in Ai" email wecanhelp@safeonsocial.com

The Russell Group of Universities in 2023 world rankings had four of the top ten universities in the world. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College, London, and University College London. You can see the rest of their impressive list here. They have released a document about how the universities will use GenAI. Some of the key parts f the document are. "Our universities are committed to the ethical and responsible use of generative AI and to preparing our staff and students to be leaders in an increasingly AI-enabled world. The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential for a profound impact on the ways in which we teach, learn, assess, and access education. Our universities wish to ensure that generative AI tools can be used for the benefit of students and staff – enhancing teaching practices and student learning experiences, ensuring students develop skills for the future within an ethical framework, and enabling educators to benefit from efficiencies to develop innovative methods of teaching. Russell Group universities have collectively developed the following principles that will guide the approach to generative AI tools across our universities and, we hope, beyond: 1. Universities will support students and staff to become AI-literate. 2. Staff should be equipped to support students to use generative AI tools effectively and appropriately in their learning experience. 3. Universities will adapt teaching and assessment to incorporate the ethical use of generative AI and support equal access. 4. Universities will ensure academic rigour and integrity is upheld. 5. Universities will work collaboratively to share best practice as the technology and its application in education evolves. We are working with a number of tech-forward schools that have decided not to wait for policy, and to implement guidelines right now. We have developed a program called Shaping Tomorrow Today for this reason. The program is 90mins + resources and templates for usage in schools and businesses - we need to educate for the future not our past. And we need to do it now. You can find out more here: https://www.safeonsocial.com/shaping-tomorrow-today

‘Sometimes I like to dress my avatar in a furry costume…but other players tell me I should kill myself.’ The 12-year-old before me sees my jaw drop. ‘But it’s ok! When you get told you’re a ‘sicko’ and ‘deserve to die’ enough times, it doesn’t hurt anymore’, she reassures me. I speak in schools, I teach in schools, I’m a mum. I talk to kids constantly, and as a novice gamer, I speak their language. As an in-school educator on online trust and safety for Safe on Social, disclosures like this are coming thick and fast, and more and more shocking. Debate over the ‘Furry’ community is at fever pitch right now thanks to reports of kitty litter requests in classrooms for children identifying as pets, and widespread claims of students ‘barking’ to intimidate others. But the issue is nowhere more present than online. I’ve observed furry fandom from the sidelines for decades. Defined as a subculture interested in anthropomorphic animal characters exhibiting human intelligence and facial expressions, speaking, walking on two legs, and wearing clothes, the term furry fandom is also used to refer to the community of people who gather on the internet and at furry conventions. Contrary to popular belief, furry fandom isn’t just a ‘now’ culture, it actually laid roots in the 1970s, picking up steam with the increasing popularity of human/animal hybrids in manga and anime, and even later on in popular films such as Space Jam. During the ‘80s, furry fans began to publish fanzines and by 1989, the first furry convention, Confurence, was held with great interest. It’s no surprise that the next decade brought furry fans to the internet to socialise. Broadly speaking, the furry community is divided into three distinct but not exclusive categories: Furries: folk who have an interest in anthropomorphic animals. Therians: someone who believes from a young age that they are an animal trapped inside a human body. Otherkin: those who believe they are not entirely human. Furries are often maligned as practicing zoophiliacs however many furries emphatically dispute any connection, citing their adoration of animals as evidence that they would never seek to harm them. Early features on furries such as in Vanity Fair, and even on the Simpsons, focused mainly on the sexual aspect of furry fandom. Indeed, there is a portion within the culture who wear specially constructed murrsuit furry costumes to engage in sexual trysts with other suited up consenting adults however, the majority of furry fans claim that most media portrayals are inflated misconceptions. Reporters attending Anthrocon 2006 noted furry conventions are mostly about people talking and drawing animals and comic-book characters however, that does little to mitigate the fact that furries are quite possibly the most misunderstood and vilified archetype online and IRL. Like anything different, it’s attracting haters by the thousands, mostly online. And those who demonstrate solidarity with the culture, particularly teens, are squarely caught in the crosshairs. ‘Yeah, there’s a boy in year 6 who calls himself a Furry Hunter’, miss 12 shared. ‘There’s lots of them online. Anyway, he told a girl in my class he wanted to murder her and rape her dead body’. Furry Hunters count themselves amongst the ranks of any furry hunting/killing regiment or group or have an extreme hate for furries. They boast their own flag, and their online voice is increasingly loud with their war thus far being restricted to keyboards and TikTok videos. ‘I know people get annoyed with kids barking in class or at each other, but that’s not a good reason to threaten to kill them’ bemoans my new friend. When suited up online, her avatar is immediately assailed with threats and actual physical assault. Visiting Brookhaven, the role-playing world wildly popular with the primary school crowd, she receives requests to style for furry skin in certain ways She attracts invitations into chat rooms to be other characters’ pets and lay with them, be laid on, and engage in sexual acts. Incensed, I logged onto the Roblox game ‘Rate my avatar’ and invested some serious Robux in a wolf suit. And before I could count ‘3…2….’ the insults began: ‘ I hate you’ ‘You are the reason I’m scared of animals’ ‘Aren’t you embarrassed? Your parents must be so ashamed’ ‘Sicko. You like f&@$ing animals do you?’(I immediately reported that one). ‘Just kill yourself…hey let me help you do that’’ This is not unique to Roblox. Characters presenting as animals in RPG games attract heinous derision, and in Murder Mystery games, furries are sought-after targets. So, what does this say about us as a society? It suggests that we have a growing problem on our hands, exacerbated by media stereotypes and propaganda, the hysteria noise silencing the online predatory behaviours. For children, their online persona is like an extension of themselves. When that character is admonished, belittled, threatened, or physically assaulted, they feel it and the lines between the real world and the online world are increasingly blurry. Just last year, a US gamer was killed IRL after he tea-bagged a dead opponent’s body during a game of Call of Duty. In 2021 and 2022, media coverage in Canada and the United States spun fake news about litter boxes being provided for furries in classrooms, which now appears to be part of a cultural backlash against efforts to accommodate trans and binary-gendered students in schools. Like most reports giving rise to the hysteria, when the US sneezed, Australia caught cold. A much salivated-over case reported in Victoria of a group of furries being granted kitty litter has since been clarified. It was in fact a young girl who requires a kitty litter tray for her support pet who helps her combat serious trauma-related anxiety. There is definitely some weight to concerns that online requests for kids to send photos of themselves in homemade animal costumes has the potential to add to the already rising child exploitation material trade. This very real threat cannot be dismissed, but awareness, education, and a preparedness to have uncomfortable conversations and keep up with our kid’s online engagement is key. Our habit of pointing the finger at others seems to be part of a greater social issue we are quick to cast rash judgments on. So, what is the solution? You can start with the three C’s: Communication. First and foremost, talk to your kids Consent. Teach them to never be pushed into doing something they don’t feel comfortable doing. Comprehension. Helping them understand that everything they do online makes up part of their digital footprint. This will exist online FOREVER. This is not me having a fangirl moment for the furry cause, it’s simply saying 'Different strokes for different folks'. Diversity is key to culture and the cornerstone of evolution. It’s time to take Grandma’s advice and if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. That is never truer than online. We’ve an obligation to role model healthy online engagement, and that means if you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it with your phone.

Back in '91, when I first dived into the tech world, things were very different. We were still using those "in" and "out" trays on our desks, and the speed of tech advancements was blowing my mind daily. But one thing has always stayed the same; technology is always miles ahead of laws trying to keep up with it. Over the past 30+ years, I've become somewhat of a cyber law buff. I've been studying it informally for years, and I even applied and got a spot at a prestigious university in a Master of Laws program. I ended up saying no. The reason? The online trust and safety world is like a shapeshifter, changing so fast that by the time a law is made, it's often already behind the times. I would have had to cite things I knew needed to be updated if I was to study in the area I was specialising in. The only thing consistent my whole career is the importance of critical thinking and risk mitigation and the need to get the foundations right. These three things are indispensable when dealing with rapid technological changes. Smartphones and social media brought issues like cyberbullying, online harassment, and exposure to inappropriate content to the masses. We saw it coming, we were already in the trenches living it. What is now Safe on Social was formed seven years before Australia had what was in 2015 the Children's eSafety Commissioner. We have some laws now, but as new tech emerges, it is sometimes like a free-for-all for large periods. And it's not just about the laws; it's also about how they're enforced. The trouble is enforcement can be patchy, especially when tech crosses borders, or the experience filed in a complaint or a court case doesn't align with parts of the legislation. And then there is the lag, the time law, and policies take to catch up. This week the QLD government followed a few other states and banned smartphones a whopping 15yrs after they appeared in the mainstream. Some organisations we are working with did not have social media guidelines or policies in place until we helped them out. Here is an interesting timeline for you: Internet in Australia (1989) - Australia connected to the Internet in June 1989 through a connection made by the University of Melbourne. Policy Response (1997) - The Australian government passed the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Online Services) Act in 1997, providing a regulatory framework for internet content for the first time. The gap between the rollout and policy implementation was around eight years. Commercialisation of the Internet Worldwide (1991) - The Internet was first commercialised in 1991 when the restrictions on its commercial use were lifted. Policy Response (1996) - The Telecommunications Act of 1996 in the US was one of the first attempts to regulate the Internet on a larger scale, aiming to foster competition in the telecommunications industry. The gap was about five years, and regulation is still all over the place. Broad Adoption of E-commerce (mid-1990s) - The rise of companies like Amazon and eBay signaled the mainstream adoption of e-commerce. Policy Response (2000) - The Australian government launched the GST (Goods and Services Tax) in 2000, including electronic commerce provisions. The gap was roughly five years. Social Media Boom (2004) - Facebook, arguably the most influential social media platform, was launched in 2004. Policy Response (2011) - Australia passed the Privacy Amendment (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Act in 2012, which made several changes to the Privacy Act 1988, adding more protections for individuals' personal information, partly in response to social media's growth. The gap was around seven years. Smartphone Revolution (2007) - The release of the first iPhone in 2007 sparked the smartphone revolution, reshaping how people interact with the Internet. Policy Response (2012) - The Telecommunications Consumer Protections Code was updated in 2012 to protect consumers better as the smartphone market grew. The gap was about five years. The rise of AI and Machine Learning (2010s) - Though the concepts have existed for decades, AI and machine learning technologies started having significant practical impacts in the 2010s. Policy Response (2019) The Australian Government published a national AI Ethics Framework in 2019 to guide the responsible development and use of AI. The gap was about a decade, yet the government and academia were somewhat blindsided by GenAi being used by students widely when it suddenly was everywhere in early 2023. They should have seen it coming and the digital divide it is causing. We are working with forward-thinking schools daily on this and speaking at conferences on the positive use of when risk is managed appropriately. Broad Adoption of Cryptocurrencies (2010s) - Bitcoin was invented in 2009, but cryptocurrencies gained broad attention in the mid-2010s. Policy Response (2021) - In 2021, the Australian government introduced the Digital Currency Bill that recognised Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as legal forms of payment. The gap was approximately a decade. Note: These timelines are estimations based on the technologies' large-scale recognition and adoption. Additionally, the gap years do not necessarily imply that governments were not engaging with these technologies in any way before these major policy implementations. What is happening right now with GenAi hitting the workplace and education feels like I'm on a weird rewind a "back to the future" scenario. I saw and was a part of the policy-making and training scene when social media blasted into our lives out of nowhere in the mid 2000's. One moment, everyone was like, "Nah, it's just a fad," and then - boom - it was all over the place. When it comes to GenAi I am seeing the same thing. Should we ban it, or should we embrace it? Is it cheating, or is it a tool? We don’t have a choice in my eyes. It’s here, and if we don’t embrace it, teach our kids to use it, learn how to assess learning with it, and use it to increase productivity in the workplace, the digital divide will widen even further. Those who did and those who didn’t. I am as busy as I was in the mid-2000's again, hosting training and writing policies and guidelines for businesses and schools who can see the benefit of GenAi and are going for it ahead of any formal government policies. The great thing about being in tech for so long is I have learned firsthand the benefits of living this all before and what works and what doesn't and I can back my team to guide our clients accordingly, mitigating risks along the way. This morning Madeleine (co-founder of Safe on Social UK) and I had a long conversation about a new and confronting trend happening among kids (she is writing about it, so stay tuned). We will release that in the coming days after fact-checking is complete. Madeleine and I will release a whole swathe of the most forward-thinking available education programs in the next two weeks when all Australian schools return from holidays – Workplace Wellness for businesses, New focused parent education programs, and the most forward-thinking Professional Learning available. These programs will focus on GenAi, Online Trust and Safety, and Child Predation detection (which Madeleine has first-hand experience with). These courses will be available onsite and online through our Australian, UK, and US offices. Sign up here to be the first to know www.safeonsocial.com/subscribe

We need an urgent change in our language and approach to gaming and social media usage. The strategies and language utilised by some cyber safety speakers and governmental organisations are becoming obsolete, needing more effectiveness to properly engage with and teach about this rapidly evolving space. It's critical to abandon these outdated approaches. Since May 2021, I have been examining this approach in various schools I collaborate with. I have also spoken with our Youth Voice team. My findings support the fact that we should immediately reconsider the use of the term "playing" when discussing online gaming and social media in the context of online safety. Online games have evolved into intricate, interactive platforms that promote learning, social interaction, and even a competitive spirit. However, they also present risks such as predation, sextortion, and scams. Labelling gaming as merely "playing" unintentionally diminishes the seriousness of online happenings. Instead of "playing", I have been redirecting the discussion to educate children and their parents that our online activities are akin to "visiting a place". The concept of the metaverse is gaining traction. A term we may have encountered but might not fully understand unless we're technical. It signifies the transition from a two-dimensional internet to a three-dimensional immersive world. I have witnessed firsthand the tech world moving faster than the speed of light, it seems. I have watched this up close during my tech career, which has spanned 32yrs from pre-internet Australia to the current era of smartphones. The emergence of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies, like Oculus Rift and Microsoft's HoloLens, are leading the way towards a more accessible metaverse. The concept of the metaverse isn't novel - it was brought to light in Neal Stephenson's 1992 novel "Snow Crash," which portrayed a virtual reality successor to the internet. At the centre of this transformation are our children. During my most recent visit to Australia, I spent seven weeks interacting with children, conducting workshops across various Australian schools, ranging from small rural public schools to large private and independent institutions. My team of expert speakers and I have listened to and continued to validate this theory. My team and I compare observations and adapt our sessions fortnightly as it moves that fast and we need to keep up to date if not slightly ahead. We all share a common passion for improving online safety for individuals of all ages. I have recently directed my team, after a year of asking tens of thousands of young individuals, to cease referring to it as "playing online games", and instead start discussing "visiting places". It's no longer just about winning points, but about spending a portion of their lives in these online environments. We need to revise the way we converse with kids about gaming risks and app usage, which would in turn alter their perspective. Let's use Roblox as an example, a platform that has enamoured millions of children worldwide. Roblox isn't simply a game, it's a platform that enables users to create and share their own games and virtual worlds, becoming the first of the metaverse games. Instead of saying they're "playing Roblox," I have described it as "Going to a Roblox world." "Going to Bloxburg or Brookhaven" as examples that will resonate with your kids. This language shift, I believe, has enhanced children's comprehension that they're not merely messing around in a fictitious world, but engaging in a realistic environment with tangible implications. However, parents, educators, police, and government agencies need to adopt the same language for this to work effectively. By eliminating the term "play", we discourage normalising activities that should not be associated with "playing" at all....ever, such as predation, sextortion, scams, and online bullying. ***Trigger Warning the rest of this article discusses sexual abuse*** In 2021, a couple of incidents were reported to me. An 11-year-old girl experienced a disturbing episode in Roblox, where she was offered free Robux (the in-game currency) to enter a room where an adult gamer sexually violated her in-game character/avatar. After reporting this incident during one of our student sessions, she repeatedly pointed to her chest, saying "It happened to me." This highlights that for children, there's no distinction between online and offline - it's all just life. Another young boy almost found himself in a dangerous situation with an acquaintance he made in Fortnite. They realised they both resided in the same region and had been gaming together for a significant period before the incident happened. When the virtual friend invited him to connect on Snapchat, the young boy was shocked when an older individual knocked on his door. Fortunately, his older brother was home at the time. The boy had not secured his SnapMap. Both of these incidents were extremely serious and reported to the police, and they are not isolated occurrences they're becoming increasingly common. This is from one of our Youth Voice members in response to my questions: Have you ever been asked to be someone’s boyfriend or girlfriend when gaming? Yes. Have you ever been asked to play the mum dad, doctor or nurse or similar in a role-play game? Yes. Have you ever been asked to lie down next to someone else's avatar? Not lay down, but I’ve been asked to position avatars and make them look like they’re kissing or doing other inappropriate things. Have you ever been asked to follow someone on another platform like TikTok or connect with them on Snapchat? Yes. Without looking up the answer, do you know the average age of a gamer? 15? (I just googled it, and I am floored! That’s scary when you think about the potential for predators in children’s games, let alone when young kids play games outside of their age bracket.) My thoughts are that we should educate the young people in our lives that games should be treated like you are going to a place rather than playing a game. My fear is inappropriate behaviour like all of the things I have mentioned above has been normalised to a point that you don’t even think about it. Here is an example, the last school I spoke at I explained to a group of year 3’s that next time they are playing Roblox to treat it like they were going to the local shopping mall. That way they would know what to do when things get weird. If someone randomly walked up to them in a shopping centre and asked any of the questions I asked you above, they would tell a parent or another trusted adult. So why aren’t they doing that when it comes to online gaming? Do you think explaining games like Roblox to young kids in this way would help them to be safer? Please discuss in as many words as you need to. As a kid, I was very naïve and sometimes straight-up reckless. If people asked me to do any of that stuff I would! I liked the attention and I liked talking to people so, in short, I was perfect prey for a predator. Explaining it like this, especially to young kids will hopefully make the message of ‘the people you meet online are not your friends’ really stick. I wish someone had explained it to me like that. Where to from here? A significant but simple shift we can make is in our language. We need to discuss these online environments as 'places' children visit, rather than games they play. By doing this, we can help children understand that their actions in these spaces can have real-world implications and that the principles of safety, respect, and responsibility apply equally in the digital and physical worlds. In my sessions, I ask specific questions about Roblox to children up to year eight and ask those above year eight to consider their younger siblings. Teachers are consistently shocked when they see the number of hands raised in response to my queries. The questions are (please ask your kids and students) Who has been asked to be someone's boyfriend or girlfriend? This is a question that often results in laughter and numerous raised hands, highlighting how normalised such behaviour has become. Who has been offered free Robux to play the roles of Mum/Dad/Doctor/Nurse? Once again, the response is laughter and many raised hands. Who has been asked to connect with someone on another platform like TikTok, Snapchat, or Whatsapp? Many hands. Who has been offered free Robux to lie down next to someone's avatar? Yet again, a to many hands. With older students, I ask them to have these discussions with their younger siblings. Now do you see where I'm headed with this? By saying "playing" Roblox, we normalise this behaviour. When I ask what a child would do if a significantly older stranger approached them in a shopping centre (considering the average gamer age is 34-36 years) and asked them to be their girlfriend/boyfriend, and offered them $50 Robux (the in-game economy) to lie down on a bed in a store with them, or flashed them (age specific of course) the answer becomes apparent. In real life, the police would be called every single time, and the child would not hesitate to speak out. We need to encourage children to critically evaluate their online interactions. They should understand it's okay to question things, stand up for themselves, and seek a trusted adult's help if something feels wrong. It's crucial we establish an environment where kids feel secure expressing their worries and know their feelings will be taken seriously by the adults in their life without shaming or judging them. Most importantly, we must foster an environment where children feel safe expressing their concerns without fear of punishment, dismissal or having gaming banned. This fosters trust, encourages open communication, and empowers kids to make informed decisions and navigate their online lives confidently. For a young person, there is no distinction between online and offline, it's all just life. The internet has evolved into more than just a space for socialisation and creativity. It's an integral part of our daily reality, and the emergence of the metaverse is likely to further enhance this integration. The dynamic between children and technology has changed significantly in recent years. Kids are not just consumers of digital content; they're creators and active participants in the online spaces they frequent. Platforms like Roblox encourage children to construct, share, and manage their own games and virtual worlds, fostering creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. However, this platform is also marketed to adults. N o matter how much you think you've secured your child’s Roblox account, we need to re-evaluate how we teach about online risks so that if they're at a friend's place where the settings are more relaxed, they know what to do. We must adjust our perception of the online world to effectively educate our children about it. We should express active interest in our children's online activities. Inquire about the games they're engaged in, the friendships they're forming, and the experiences they're having. This not only provides opportunities for guidance and learning but also promotes communication and fosters trust. I recently spoke at an Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into Law Enforcement Capability and Child Exploitation. A big part of what I discussed was Roblox and Omegle. You can download our free guides to these apps here As we inch closer to a metaverse-dominated online culture, our discussions about online safety must adapt to this emerging reality. The magnitude and intricacy of these spaces are projected to increase exponentially. Our educational approach must evolve to equip children with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate this new reality safely and responsibly. As these virtual spaces transition from 'games' to 'places,' we must aid our children in understanding that their online interactions can be as impactful and potentially risky as those in the real world. The metaverse isn't just the future of technology; it's the future of childhood as well. Our duty is to prepare our children to navigate this landscape securely, responsibly, and with confidence. In Australia immediately report suspected online grooming to www.accce.gov.au Internationally contact your local law enforcement agency. To enquire about our programs for schools, businesses, and sports clubs click here To sign up to our VIP parent/guardian program for just $4.99+GST per month click here

Written by Summer 12yrs YouTube influences many people of different ages through the content that is shared via different channels. Some channels can influence kids in the wrong ways, sharing inappropriate content, but there are also lots of channels that can positively influence kids by teaching them new skills, life hacks, or even just how to have a good laugh. I’m 12, and my little sister is 3, so we like watching different things, so I have shared a few of my favourite YouTube channels and a couple she likes to watch with Mum. SSSniperwolf What is it? SSSniperwolf is YouTube content creator Alia Shelesh from LA. She creates reaction videos and POVs where she reacts to people’s TikToks and YouTube reels talking and laughing through her opinions on what she’s watching. She is a big gamer and social media user, but although she likes to create content for people to watch using silly and funny videos, she always encourages children not to do anything silly or to copy the videos she’s reacting to. She seems to care about her viewers. Why do I like it? SSSniperwolf inspires me because she appears to be a strong, courageous, and confident young woman. She has revealed that she was bullied over her love of video games as a kid, and that is why she makes videos and still plays games – to teach kids that they’re absolutely fine in their own skin. SSSniperwolf can immediately brighten my day whenever I’m feeling down. What don’t I like about it? One thing I would change is that she always repeats her videos or always watches the same things sometimes, and it gets repetitive. Target age group? I would recommend this channel for older audiences between the ages of 10-16 because it can have what some might feel is inappropriate content where she discusses things like periods and girl stuff. Some reactions are to mildly scary videos sometimes too. In-Channel Advertisements? - McDonald’s - Hungry Jacks - BINGE - Disney+ Art for Kids Hub What is it? The Art for Kids Hub is a channel that teaches kids how to draw their favourite animals, foods and places. Rob Jensen created Art for Kids Hub with his wife and children who all play a role in their videos, creating drawings that you can copy as you watch them do it. The videos are creative and encourage you to slow down a bit. I feel like it also helps children listen to instructions and to get more creative and try something new. Why do I like it? Art for Kids Hub inspires me to be more creative and to learn different skills and drawing techniques. Some shapes and items can look hard to draw but they make it easier and achievable. Watching their videos helps me to calm down after a busy day at school or when it’s raining outside and it’s also really fun because I really enjoy drawing. What don’t I like about it? One thing I would change is that they only draw cartoon pictures and not realistic ones which I think would encourage some kids to push themselves a bit further. Target age group? I would recommend this channel for older audience between the ages of 8-13. In-Channel Advertisements? - Ebay - Etsy - Grammarly BabyBus What is it? Created by Tang Guangyu, the BabyBus world, KiKi, Miumiu, and their friends inspire kids to experience true friendship, care, creativity, and imagination in a fun and smart way, all the while learning. Through their songs and animations, kids around the world can learn about colours, letters, life skills, good habits, safety tips, and more in a fun and educational way. In the eyes of Kiki and Miumiu, all things are alive: you can talk to animals, you can make friends with vehicles. Why do I like it? BabyBus is very contained and it never goes over the top with the scenarios meaning that the themes are like real things that can happen in life. I am really fond of BabyBus because it really influences children to live a happy, healthy and safe life and to have a wild and adventurous imagination. My little sister loves to sing along! What don’t I like about it? The scenes can sometimes be a bit scary for young children – earthquakes, sinkholes and tsunamis/big waves for example. The songs can also be very repetitive which gets super annoying. Target age group? I would recommend this channel for younger audiences between the ages of 3-6. In-Channel Advertisements? - Hotjar - ebay Sheriff Labrador What is it? Sheriff Labrador’s channel makes videos on the dangers of things that can happen or exist within everyday life. The main cartoon character, Sheriff Labrador, teaches children things like always washing your food, never taking anything off strangers, and to never talk or interact with someone you don’t know. Each episode is a cartoon which features the Sheriff and his trusty sidekick. They experience a scenario of some kind and work together to investigate and solve the problem. For example, one episode is about two sneaky foxes who lure a young bunny to run off with them by getting on a toy car with them. The mummy bunny panicks and works with the sheriff to find where the fox kidnappers took baby bunny. The episode ends by telling kids to never leave their parents. Sheriff Labrador was created by Tang Guangyu as he wanted to educate young children on the dangers of the world and as an add-on to the popular kids channel BabyBus. Why do I like it? The channel encourages you to take caution in the world and has safety talks after the scene has ended to again share their safety messages. Sheriff Labrador inspires me because he teaches me to do the right thing and young children to make smart and safe decisions and when it’s my baby sister, I take her safety seriously and love that she’s learning positive lessons. What don’t I like about it? Some of the themes are a bit strange. For example, one episode is about the importance of not collecting caterpillars. Another episode shows a young boy eating a mushroom and then going all strange, like he was on drugs. Target age group? I would recommend this channel for a younger audience between the ages of 3-6. In-Channel Advertisements? - Grammarly - Truecore Brightside What is it? An animated series, Brightside is a channel full of riddles, survival skills and heaps more. Whether you’re into recent discoveries, space exploration, true stories, fitness, fun tests, riddles, or useful tips for self-improvement, gadgets, or just your day-to-day routine, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Each episode features either a theme or a challenge to guess who is at the heart of the riddle (what the answer is). It shows you a number of scenarios that could be picked and you then get to see which one was correct. Through this process each episode, you learn about different animals, different planets, all kinds of cool stuff! Pavel Radaev created Brightside for fun, and then all of his videos blew up and he got well-known. Brightside now has a community of millions and millions of subscribers! Why do I like it? I am really fond of Brightside because I enjoy watching and learning survival skills like how to get away from sharks, how to survive a snake bite and what to do when you encounter a dangerous animal. Riddles are fun and challenging and I also really enjoy the fun personality quizzes – they can actually be quite accurate! What don’t I like about it? Sometimes the videos are almost the same thing and some of the riddles are inappropriate talking about birth and who is the father. Target age group? would recommend this channel for your middle aged audience between the ages 10-15+ because It can have inappropriate themes. In-Channel Advertisements? - Amazon - Grammarly

Tucked away in a corner of Facebook, an ultrasound image, swathed in grayscale tones, marks the beginning of a digital narrative for an unborn child. This image signals the inception of an endless cascade of digital moments chronicling the life of the unborn. This is the birthplace of the "Generation Embarrassed" phenomenon, an era whose inhabitants have been under constant surveillance, their lives recorded and shared publicly since the dawn of their existence. Generation Embarrassed is now acutely aware of the digital footprints that their parents have painstakingly curated, footprints that precede their own memories and, often, their consent. This awareness triggers a spectrum of emotions, most notably embarrassment. This isn't merely the quintessential adolescent awkwardness underscored by a regrettable yearbook photo or a facepalm moment. It's profound, ingrained. It's rooted in the fact that their first steps, first words, preschool confrontations, nude bath photos, images clad in diapers, faces smeared with food, and napping in a bowl of spaghetti have been archived for the public's viewing pleasure on a platform they never consented to. This feeling of exposure indicates an infringement on personal boundaries they were never given the opportunity to establish. It's the unsettling acknowledgment that their photos, stories, and milestones have been exposed to the judgments, remarks, and 'likes' of strangers, acquaintances, and relatives alike. The essence of their formative years, from their clumsy transitions to their shining victories, has been transformed into a voyeuristic exhibition. This embarrassment emanates from the realisation that their life, from its earliest stage, was inadvertently commoditised and displayed, often for others' second-hand enjoyment. The expansive memory and reach of the internet ensure that anything posted remains accessible, crafting a digital time capsule whose potential implications can echo far into the future. This is the paradox of social media. While it offers boundless opportunities for connection, education, and expression, it also possesses a malevolent side, one that can exploit information shared innocently years ago. Every shared picture, video, or anecdote becomes a data point that can be scrutinised, (think 76 million data points by the time they were 13yrs) misconstrued, misused, or even manipulated. Potential employers, college/uni admission officers, and future partners could all potentially access the online archives of Generation Embarrassed. An innocent picture of a tantrum, a family dispute, or a silly childhood game could be taken out of context and misinterpreted. In worst-case scenarios, this could result in bias, judgment, or missed opportunities based on a narrative these individuals never had control over. The danger of data privacy violations looms large. From identity theft to online bullying, the threats are abundant, reaching beyond embarrassment into the sphere of physical and financial harm. The collection of this personal information from such a tender age also feeds into broader issues like surveillance and targeted advertising. Tech companies possess the ability to track and analyse individual behaviours from these digital footprints, potentially swaying and manipulating Generation Embarrassed perceptions and choices without their awareness. Arguably the most impactful effect of all is the emotional strain. As these adolescents mature, they may struggle with the sensation of their past relentlessly trailing them. The notion of leaving one's past behind and starting fresh becomes elusive when everything is permanently ingrained on social media platforms. This could impact their mental health, self-esteem, and the freedom to evolve without fear of perpetual online judgment. This isn't about painting a negative picture. Instead, it's about pointing out the unintended effects of a freely left digital trail. While we admire the technology that connects us, it's just as important to recognise how it can harm, particularly the young people who are made into unwitting online personas of their lives even before they've had a say in it. In each of my presentations to students who are part of Generation Embarrassed, a recurring question surfaces "How do I tell my parents to stop? how do I ask them to delete images or ask me first?" It underscores a crucial point - please ask them first. This simple act embodies one of the most powerful lessons we can teach our children about online consent. Online consent isn't just about refusing or granting permission to share explicit or intimate images. It extends to even the most seemingly trivial actions online, such as adding someone to a group chat. Asking for consent, teaching respect for personal boundaries, and fostering an environment where permission is paramount, are the foundational steps toward a healthier, safer online world. By doing so, we can set a strong example for our children, empower them with a sense of control over their online presence, and instill a deeper understanding of consent that goes far beyond our homes and into the vastness of social media and the online world. So, what does this all signify for Generation Embarrassed? How do they handle the ramifications of their unintentional online existence? Do they retaliate by disengaging from social media, striving to reclaim control over their narrative? Or do they accept it as an inevitable outcome of the era they were born into? The online identities of these teenagers are complex. They are a product of their parents' viewpoints and expectations, their own creation, and a consequence of peer influence and societal pressure. Trying to discover their authentic selves amidst these overlapping and often conflicting digital identities presents a unique challenge. More than any generation before, Generation Embarrassed navigates a minefield of online presence and privacy issues. As they come of age, the discourse around online consent, online etiquette, and privacy rights are not just abstract societal discussions but deeply personal and pertinent topics they grapple with daily. The emergence of Generation Embarrassed marks a crucial turning point in our society, instigating vital conversations on the ethics of online sharing and consent. It serves as an alarm bell for parents, urging them to rethink their social media habits. It calls on educators and policymakers to tackle these unique challenges and prepare the next generations for a life entwined online and off. To Generation Embarrassed it is all the same thing…..Life. Their discomfort and embarrassment could be a powerful catalyst for change. There is an understanding that while it's natural to be proud and want to share their child's life, it's crucial to ensure these actions respect the child's autonomy and future comfort. Are we, the parents, the guardians, the older generation, the actual issue? By sharing every aspect of our children's lives, could we have unknowingly set a pattern where privacy, even our own, is disregarded? Could this be the reason why kids share everything, including in some extreme cases, explicit images? I dare to suggest that we, the older generation, might be unintentionally complicit in this culture of oversharing. Our well-intended enthusiasm to document and share every moment might have, inadvertently, diminished respect for personal boundaries. This could be a significant factor in why some young people feel it's acceptable to share intimate content so freely. As such, it's crucial for us to reassess our own online habits and the precedents we set. It's time for us to reflect collectively. This a wake-up call to revisit our approach to sharing on social media, to question the norms we've established, and to contemplate the profound impact our sharing habits may have on the younger generation. Generation Embarrassed indeed reflects our digital culture, a culture that urgently needs reevaluation and reform. Perhaps in this shared discomfort, we'll find the impetus to create a healthier digital environment for everyone one that respects privacy, values consent, is empathetic, and celebrates individuality. Members of our Youth Voice share personal experiences For as long as I can remember my Mum has been taking photos of me and uploading them to Facebook. Sharing it all with family and friends the second I did something cute or funny or infuriating. All these people who are pretty much strangers to me know everything about my life, while I don’t even know their names. I couldn’t pick them out in a crowded room, but they know what age I lost my first tooth, the awards I’ve won at school, and how one time when I was a baby I made poo art in my porta cot. And it’s embarrassing. I distinctly remember asking my mum to not upload things on Facebook and her arguing back saying “It’s only for your family” or “It’s cute.” But it’s bigger than that. She’s friends with some of my teachers, my first boss, and some of my friends’ parents. I hate it and she just doesn’t get it. ___________________ Being the first generation of children who were introduced to the whiff of social media, it's safe to say we have experienced all the ups and downs of it. Even before I could read or write, social media was a big influence in the lives of my parents. Facebook's initial launch was in 2004, parents were quick enough to start posting pictures of their children, their achievements, and every little interesting thing that happened in their lives. Being an adult now, I scroll back to my parent's Facebook timeline from a decade ago seeing pictures of myself - Awkward pictures. Growing up I didn't have the best ‘face’- I was very insecure as I had teeth that showed when I smiled with my lips closed. My fellow peers made fun of my ‘rabbit’ teeth all the time. I hated pictures being taken of myself, but them being published all over a platform I have never heard of made me feel worse. Eventually, with the help of braces, I sure did fix my teeth, but those photos - those photos still surface on the internet where my friends and peers even now, can easily access to use them against me. It attacks my self-esteem greatly, even as an 18-year-old. But to my parents, it's their little child's milestones being documented on a platform they can access anytime - but so can total strangers. ____________________ I've been showing up in mum's Facebook posts for a long time now. I know that she has posted photos from when I was a baby and stuff because she shows me every now and then and it hasn't really bothered me too much. Thinking about it now, I guess it does make me feel a little uneasy as people I don't know personally can see pictures of me doing different things but I know that mum is just proud of me and likes to share that with her friends. I have also consented to a lot of pictures mum has posted because she's either asked me if she can or, as she's a writer, I have been included in quite a lot of articles for big brands that I have had to decide if I wanted to be part of. I knew each time that these articles would be shared online and on social media and I was always ok with that. I still help mum with this kind of thing now and I really enjoy seeing myself online. As I get older, I am starting to learn more about what people can find out about you and that they can steal your photos for bad things so it's probably a good time to chat to mum about it a bit more. ____________________ I was travelling in India with my mum when I remember her first posting a photo of me on Facebook. I was around 12. I was really unhappy that she’d done that without asking me, and I told her as much. She told me that I was her child and that she could post what she wanted. She didn’t want to respect my right to privacy because she thought she had some nonexistent parental privilege. She understands now, especially as I’ve gotten older, but I still think a lot of parents don’t understand the right to privacy that their children have, regardless of who the adult figure is in their life that wants to post them online. ____________________ I never really noticed before when my family took photos of me and put them on their Facebook or Instagram because we have grown up in a society where it's normal. It's not that I care but the thought of pictures of me as a baby with my bare bum out on the beach is definitely a little embarrassing, and what if one of my classmates finds that? I don't mind it now because my parents don’t post me without asking but I would be upset if they didn't. _____________________ My mother and I maintain a mutual understanding regarding the sharing of non-consensual photographs or taking pictures of each other without prior knowledge for social media purposes. During my childhood, particularly before the age of 12, I did not find it bothersome, as social media did not possess the same significance it does today. However, as I entered my teenage years, my self-consciousness heightened due to severe acne, and I actively avoided being photographed. Both of my parents were considerate of my feelings in this regard. Overall, this was not a significant concern for me as I had an open line of communication with my parents. Nonetheless, I can empathise with why other children may not feel comfortable in such situations. ______________________ It is undeniably evident that the rise of social media has touched every aspect of our existence, including the way we interact, share, and express ourselves. One of the most profound is visible in Generation Embarrassed, a demographic whose entire life has been thrust into the public domain, often without their consent, thanks to their parents' and guardians' constant sharing habits. While we as a society continue to grapple with the implications of our collective digital footprint, the voices of these young people highlight an urgent need to reassess our online behaviour. They narrate tales of discomfort, embarrassment, and violation of privacy, pointing towards an unsettling trend of online oversharing. The constant exposure to unknown eyes and the potential misuse of their information has left them with an enduring sense of vulnerability. The complexities of their online identities have forced them to constantly negotiate their self-image, privacy, and online persona. As parents, guardians, and members of an older generation, we have an inherent responsibility towards the next generation. The need of the hour is to consciously reevaluate the impact of our online habits on our children's lives. We must recognise that our intentions can have unintended consequences, no matter how well-meaning. Sharing moments of their lives, no matter how trivial or monumental, needs their consent. We have stepped into a pattern where privacy, even our own, has been sacrificed at the altar of social media. The culture of oversharing we've fostered might be the root of why kids today share everything so freely. It is high time we revisited our approach to online sharing, acknowledging the profound impact it can have on the younger generation. The voices of Generation Embarrassed are not a chorus of complaints but a call to action. They demand a space where their rights to privacy are respected, their consent is sought, and their autonomy is acknowledged. It is a call for empathy, respect, and individuality. This is a generation that seeks to redefine the rules of online engagement, to construct a healthier, safer online world. Their discomfort and embarrassment serve as a powerful trigger, to effect much-needed change.

In the heart of Sydney, a mother, and daughter sit down to enjoy breakfast together at the table next to me. It's Saturday morning. The mother attempts to strike up a conversation, and her teenage daughter, around 14 years old, is intermittently engaging but predominantly engrossed in her smartphone. They mirror our shared struggle to navigate the online world mindfully. There is no escaping the presence of devices. They've become deeply interwoven into our daily lives, creating a tug-of-war between the warmth of human connection and the allure of virtual interactions. This scenario isn't meant to vilify the Mother and Daughter, their devices, or social media. Instead, it highlights the need for mindful and balanced use. So using them as my inspiration, this is a positive piece on how can this mother-daughter pair better navigate their use mindfully. The daughter's gaze anchored on her screen can certainly tweak her online behaviour. But she may need some help. Instead of mindlessly scrolling, she could take control and carefully curate her social media feeds. This means being selective with who she follows, and choosing profiles and platforms that inspire, motivate, and encourage positivity. This active social media feed curation shouldn't be a one-off act but an evolving process, aligning with her changing interests and needs. Understanding why she reaches for her device can be a significant step forward. Maybe she's seeking solace from feeling alone or distracting herself from the awkwardness of a one-on-one breakfast directly across the table from her mother. As she grows, recognizing these motivations can help her discover healthier alternatives, ensuring her social media usage doesn't eclipse her real-world experiences or disturb her sleep. Shifting to the mother's perspective, she can play an instrumental role in gently steering her daughter towards healthier digital habits. In this context, the daughter's phone isn't an obstacle but an avenue for conversation. I saw the daughter take a photo of her breakfast, probably for Snapchat. The mother could initiate a conversation, asking why she's sharing the photo and how it makes her feel. Is she seeking validation, likes from friends, or cataloging images for her dream of becoming a chef? This is not about restricting usage but promoting critical thinking about what she consumes and shares online. The mother has the power to display healthy online behaviours. She can suggest they both put away their phones while enjoying breakfast together, setting a precedent for device-free meal times. Instead, she is now sitting at the table across from her teenage daughter, speaking to someone on the phone....so her daughter has gone back to scrolling. By reinforcing that the next 30 minutes are purely for them and unlikely to be marred by emergencies, she could easily show her daughter that a fulfilling life extends beyond the phone. This kind of boundary setting, accompanied by specified device-free periods, not only models balanced behaviour but also benefits her own well-being. It is crucial to remember that the power of social media and digital devices rests in our hands. Our online life experiences can be enriching rather than distracting when we use these tools intentionally and mindfully. The breakfast scenario can be transformed into an opportunity for the mother and daughter to foster deeper connections, both on and off their devices. Envision a scenario where the mother requests her daughter to show her an inspiring post, igniting a conversation about shared interests. In this reimagination, they coexist with their devices, not passively consumed by them but actively using them as catalysts for connection and understanding. This mindful engagement could ripple beyond the breakfast table, converting passive social media consumption into active engagement across various aspects of their lives.

Please take a moment to read this, being set to private is no longer enough. This is a blog post I wrote has just been published by The Family Online Safety Institute across their UK and US networks. We must understand our motives and the implications of sharing photos of children online. I have been actively addressing this issue from the Cybersecurity and cyber safety standpoint for 14yrs now. At Safe on social we are constantly emphasising the need for continual improvement by parents, schools, businesses that work with children, and influencers that post photos of their kids. A big part of our work is consulting across these sectors to make sure child safety is front and centre in any policy and related work online and off. Please think beyond right now and consider what we are setting our kids up for. https://www.fosi.org/good-digital-parenting/picture-perfect-privacy-a-guide-to-responsible-sharing-of-your-kids-photos If you would like our team to assist with consulting and policy development to ensure your small business is doing everything to keep your child's clients safe online, contact us at wecanhelp@safeonsocial.com or hit reply.

The digital age has drastically changed how we communicate and share information, including how we grieve and handle death. Social media has become a platform for people to express their condolences and share their feelings, but it also comes with its own set of rules and etiquette that must be followed to avoid causing unintentional harm. The Hierarchy of Grief The first and most important thing to remember is the hierarchy of grief. This refers to a system in which people or groups are ranked above one another according to status or authority, or a classification of things according to relative importance or inclusiveness. In practical terms, when someone passes away, certain individuals take precedence over others in terms of who should post the news first on social media. If the person who has passed away is married, in a defacto or longstanding relationship, it is best to let the partner post first. If the person is young and single, let their parents or siblings post first. If the person is older and single, let the children post first. If you are unsure who the closest individuals are, it is best not to post anything at all. The most important thing to remember is that this is not about you. It is important to be patient and to have no expectations of a response from the family involved. Wait until the family has made an announcement before posting anything, and be considerate of the number of things they may need to organise and process. Posting about a death too fast runs the risk of distant loved ones not being reached first. Is It Your Story to Tell? NEVER post anything until the family does. Let the individuals closest to the person who has passed tell the story or an individual they have nominated to do so. If you are going to post, replicate the information that has been shared and do not embellish or add details the family may not want shared. This also applies to funeral announcements. Some families choose these arrangements to be private, and a mass announcement on Facebook may attract a potentially unwelcome crowd or a feeling of resentment amongst individuals who may feel they should have been included. Make Sure You Get Your Facts Straight If there is any doubt in your mind that information you have heard is lacking genuine confirmation, do not post it. Before posting anything, make sure you get your facts straight and double-check the information you are sharing. Think Before You Post It is important to keep in mind that children view social media, so if the manner of death may have been a suicide or an unfortunate accident, limit what you choose to share. Gruesome details are unnecessary and inappropriate. Don’t Be Mysterious or Cryptic If the family has not released a statement, or it may not have reached the wider circle of friends, a post along the lines of “Thinking of the Smith family today” or “Sending my love to the Smith family on this difficult day” will invite questions. And then you will end up announcing the death possibly to others who have not been informed. Be straightforward if the death has been announced or be silent. Consider Your Relationship with the Individual Who Has Died If you were not a close friend, a response in the comments of an announcement is appropriate. Making an entire post about your loss when you were at best a peripheral member of the person's friends or family is more about you than the deceased. People can become very angry when a person's social media postings imply a stronger relationship with the deceased than what it was in real life. Be Patient and Have No Expectations of a Response from the Family Involved It is also important to be patient and have no expectations of a response from the family involved. If the family has not made an announcement, it is important to give them time and space to process their grief before reaching out. When making an announcement, it can be helpful to provide a warning in the initial sentences of the post that what people are about to read contains sad news. During the funeral, it is important to keep off social media entirely. Posting about the funeral, checking in at the cemetery or funeral home, or location tagging can all be seen as inappropriate and disrespectful to the family and the memory of the deceased. It is important to turn off your phone and refrain from taking any photos or selfies at the funeral. It is also important to remember that not everyone is technologically savvy and that traditional methods of expressing condolences, such as cards or flowers, are still appropriate and appreciated. For families of the deceased, it is important to consider their social media presence and whether they would have wanted their profiles to continue as a memorial or be deleted. When it comes to teens and death, social media can be a positive forum for them to express and process their emotions. However, parents and others should be aware of the potential risks and monitor their child's online activity to identify those who may be struggling or expressing distress. The language used and the ideas, they are expressing may not come through in ordinary life yet be expressed on social media. This can offer a parent a chance to seek additional help for their child should this be necessary. Australia: Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636 Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 GriefLine: 1300 845 745 Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement: 1800 642 066 Hong Kong: The Samaritans Hong Kong: 2896 0000 St. James’ Settlement: 2523 3061 The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation: 2811 2779 UK: Cruse Bereavement Care: 0808 808 1677 Samaritans UK: 116 123 Child Bereavement UK: 0800 02 888 40 The Compassionate Friends UK: 0345 123 2304 New Zealand: Grief Support Services: 0800 787 797 Skylight Trust: 0800 299 100 The Grief Centre: 09 418 1457 Hospice New Zealand: 0800 477 874

A food fad or edible trend is not uncommon on TikTok. Cloud bread, mug cake, baked oats, and pink sauce are all famous for becoming TikTok kitchen royalty. And then there’s the endless list of food-related challenges that have swept the nation, including the 10min Cheeseburger Challenge, which is exactly what the name suggests. All harmless, relatively easy, and much hunger-inducing food is an increasingly popular category on TikTok, and any trend, challenge, or #giveitatry often spreads like wildfire, especially amongst young people. The newest food craze, however, is one to not only be aware of but also be concerned about for a number of reasons. Meet Watertok, the latest and no-so-greatest consumable idiocrasy sweeping through social media. What is Watertok? Amassing over 130 million video views via the hashtag, Watertok is a strong community of people who claim to dislike the taste of water and/or want to drink more water in a way that they enjoy it. And how do they start to enjoy consuming water? By adding a TONNE of sugar powders and syrups to their H20 and sipping on it as if they’ve just won a million dollars. What do the videos show? No rocket science is used to make these videos; they show someone filling up a glass, tumbler, or drink bottle with water and small ice cubes or chips. The creator then states what they want their water to taste like and proceeds to throw in a whole heap of syrups and powders to achieve that flavour. ‘Water of the day’ is a popular theme or flow for many Watertok creators. They share their recipe for the day and encourage viewers to try it or make their own concoction. There is birthday cake, orange creamsicles, and popular cocktails like pina colada, all being created with water and additives that enthusiasts store within their pantries or even as part of their home ‘water bars’ which feature a whole heap of powdered sugar flavours like Nerds, Sunkist, and Starburst. The videos end with the Watertokker sipping on their watery concoction with delight. There are ‘ooohs’ and ‘aahs’ and lots of ‘my gosh, this takes just like a wedding cake’ comments. They are encouraging and positive and make viewers feel good about creating their flavoured waters. So, what’s the issue? It’s just water, right? Well, after doing some research, it is actually quite the opposite. Body Image The use of zero-sugar or low-sugar additives is heavily highlighted within Watertok videos giving viewers the illusion that their flavoured waters are healthy. Promoting zero and sugar-free to young people can contribute to developing unhealthy attitudes towards food and beverage consumption. Some young viewers may perceive these flavoured waters as a way to compensate for unhealthy eating habits or as a way to achieve unrealistic body standards and expectations. According to Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfit, body image is one of the biggest personal concerns for Australian girls and boys aged 16-19. In fact, 70% of adolescent girls told her that they dislike their bodies. Poor body image can have several negative effects on young people, both physically and mentally. Mental Health Poor body image can lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. It can make young people feel ashamed and insecure about their bodies, leading to feelings of isolation and social withdrawal. Disordered eating Poor body image is a significant risk factor for developing eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder. Eating disorders can have severe physical and mental health consequences, including malnutrition, organ damage, and death. Eating disorders are glorified on many social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram with young people, in particular girls, seeing these pages and people as inspirational and the ideal way to look. The potential harm caused by Watertok is a strong possibility as our young people struggle with their body image daily as well as with eating disorders starting at a very young age. Substance Abuse Poor body image can lead young people to use drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with negative feelings and emotions. Substance abuse can lead to addiction and other negative health consequences. Physical Health Poor body image can lead to a lack of physical activity, which can result in obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other health issues. Relationships Poor body image can affect young people's ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. It can lead to social isolation and difficulties with intimacy. Unhealthy Ingredients The ingredients used to flavour water poses a number of health risks with many powders and syrups containing artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and other additives that can be harmful to health if consumed in excess. For example, some artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame, have been linked to negative health effects such as headaches, dizziness, and digestive issues in some people. Additionally, some preservatives and additives used to flavour water, such as sodium benzoate, may have negative health effects, including allergic reactions and an increased risk of cancer. And it’s no shock that these Mixologists’ waters may contain higher levels of sugar than plain water as they add in sachet after sachet of powdered sugar and multiple squirts of sugar-laden syrups. This is particularly problematic for young diabetics who may see these videos and think that, as it’s just water, that the additives won’t really matter too much. The negative effects that can be caused by consuming too much sugar are many. Weight Gain Consuming too much sugar can lead to weight gain, as sugary foods and beverages are often high in calories but low in nutrients. Excess sugar consumption can lead to an increase in body fat and a higher risk of obesity. Type 2 Diabetes Consuming too much sugar can lead to type 2 diabetes, a condition characterised by high blood sugar levels. Excessive sugar consumption can contribute to insulin resistance, a condition where the body becomes less responsive to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels. Cardiovascular Disease Consuming too much sugar can increase cardiovascular disease risk, including heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. Tooth Decay Consuming too much sugar can lead to tooth decay, as sugar provides food for the bacteria that cause cavities. The acid produced by these bacteria can erode tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay and other dental problems. Inflammation Consuming too much sugar can lead to inflammation, a process that can contribute to the development of several health conditions, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. What can parents do? Talk to your children. You know those deep and meaningful conversations you have had with your friends at 3 am after a number of poor beverage choices (not Watertoks…)? Have one of those with your children, and then another one, and then another one. Open communication is the best way to build trust between you and your child, and with trust comes honesty and openness. A child who feels heard, understood, and supported is more likely to tell you if they are experiencing any challenges. Explain what the ‘perfect’ body is – one that moves, works, and makes good choices. Talk about healthy eating and what is and isn’t the best things for them to put into their bodies on a regular basis. Get to know their social media and online habits. Talk to them about what they’ve been watching or seeing online and ask them if there’s anything that has concerned them or that they want to show you. Respect the age guidelines. Many social media platforms offer a recommended sign-up age, and although these aren’t enforced by law, it’s a good indication of what may or may not be suitable for your child.

Written by Adelaide - 15yrs Codewords have been used for a long time, whether that be in America, where they use the word “GOAT”, referring to the greatest of all time or on a ship when “red party” is announced, referring to a fire on board. Slang was believed to have first appeared in linguistics in the 1800s. But there has undoubtedly been an increase in slang usage on social media over the past few years. Recently on the social media app TikTok, there has been a trend where people are talking about their experience with “mascara”. Creators discuss their experiences with different mascaras and how they made them feel. In reality, literal “mascara” is not what is being discussed. “Mascara” started as a codeword for romantic/sexual relationships or explicit body parts. This term was soon adopted and discussed by sexual assault victims. The codewords provided a way for victims to discuss and share their experiences with sexual assault, sexual relationships, and romantic relationships. This brought a positive impact on many victims. There was a way for them to share their stories. But why could they not do this before the codewords were being used on social media? TikTok has a set of guidelines that users must agree on to be able to use the app. Some of these guidelines include that TikTok does not support the practices of self-harm, disordered eating, and suicide. Implementing guidelines such as these ensures that TikTok can remain a safe space for its users. In this case, sexual assault and romantic relationships could not be discussed openly because it breaches TikTok’s Adult Nudity and Sexual Activity guidelines. TikTok states, “We do not allow nudity, pornography, or sexually explicit content on our platform. We also prohibit content depicting or supporting non-consensual sexual acts, the sharing of non-consensual intimate imagery, and adult sexual solicitation.” As a result of this guideline, many found it challenging to discuss their experiences with explicit content on TikTok, such as their experiences with romantic relationships and sexual harassment. This was because there was a high likelihood that the content would be taken down or banned (due to a breach of guidelines). As a result of this, creators took to using terms such as “mascara”. However, this is not the first time that codeword has been used on social media apps and TikTok. Users on apps such as TikTok have found codewords to openly talk about sensitive subjects without fearing being banned or getting into trouble. The codewords being used have been described as “algospeak” by Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz who wrote an article on this in April of 2022. On TikTok, users have found that creating content with the words such as “death” or “suicide” have resulted in a breach of guidelines. Due to this, the codeword of “un-alving” has been adopted. But TikTok has these guidelines in place for a reason, so what are some of the issues associated with code words? As previously stated, TikTok has guidelines to keep its users safe; using codewords essentially removes the guidelines and results in its users flying under the radar. Through the use of codewords, it can easily create confusion among many. Victims of Sexual Assault may have previously thought of mascara as an item of makeup, but due to the trend, they have a bad association with it, which may be a trigger. The usage of codewords can easily confuse. This happened to American actress and model Julia Fox when she commented, “Idk why but I don’t feel bad for u lol”. In the creator Conor Whipple’s video discussing his experience with Sexual Assault. As of 12/04/2023, the “#mascaratrend” has reached 189.7m views on TikTok. This trend has quickly gained fame and has been a code for many users to discuss previous relationships. The Mascara trend is a crucial example of a way in which users can fly under the radar of TikTok’s guidelines and escape the restrictions. But there are some issues with this. The mascara trend has resulted in children on the app being able to “crack the code” and be exposed to mature and explicit content. The mascara trend has also resulted in some confusion amongst the TikTok community. Mascara once meant makeup that could be applied to eyelashes to enhance appearance. Now, mascara is a word that users on apps such as TikTok use to explore/explain their sexual relationships or experiences with sexual assault.

As facial recognition technology (FRT) becomes more prevalent, concerns about its impact on fundamental human rights, such as privacy and freedom of expression, have grown. With no dedicated laws to govern this technology, we must ask ourselves how to balance facial recognition technology's benefits and risks. FRT is encountered in various contexts daily, such as unlocking smartphones, organising photos, home security, passport control, and surveillance by employers and law enforcement. While primarily used for identification and verification purposes, it is increasingly employed to evaluate attributes like age, gender, and emotions. Bias in facial recognition technology is a major concern, as it can disproportionately affect women and people of colour. This bias stems from the fact that the algorithms used in these technologies are often trained on datasets that lack diversity, leading to inaccuracies and misidentifications. As a result, women and people of colour are more likely to experience negative consequences, such as false matches, misinterpretation of emotions, or unjust targeting by law enforcement. Addressing this issue is crucial to ensure that facial recognition technology is fair and equitable for all users. Governments and corporations are using facial recognition technology in an unregulated landscape. Although offering potential advantages like enhanced security and streamlined identification processes, also presents significant risks due to the lack of specific safeguards and oversight mechanisms. The lack of effective regulation for Facial Recognition Technology (is posing significant challenges to upholding human rights and fostering positive innovation. Properly implemented, FRT can offer convenience and efficiency, with benefits such as aiding the visually impaired, locating missing persons, and identifying victims of crimes. However, FRT also threatens privacy and human rights, particularly as it relies on sensitive personal information, and its widespread deployment raises the risk of mass surveillance. Clearview AI exemplifies the invasive nature of FRT. This New York-based company has developed a controversial database with 30 billion photos scraped from Facebook and other social media platforms without user consent. Critics argue that this database is essentially a "perpetual police line-up," identifying individuals who have not committed any crime. Major social media companies have sent cease-and-desist letters to Clearview AI for violating user privacy, yet the database remains a concern for privacy advocates. In September 2022, the Human Technology Insitute (HTI) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) released a groundbreaking report proposing a Model Law for facial recognition. This report addresses the growing demand for reform from various sectors, including civil society, businesses, government, and academia. The goal is to safeguard against harmful facial recognition applications while promoting innovation for the public good. The HTI report advocates for legal reforms to address the risks to Australians' privacy and human rights. It adopts a risk-based legislative strategy rooted in international human rights law, making the reform principles relevant to similar jurisdictions. Australia needs a specific facial recognition law, and this HTI report encourages the Federal Attorney-General to spearhead this critical reform initiative. In February 2023, the Federal Attorney-General's Privacy Act Review report positively acknowledged the proposed Facial Recognition Model Law, endorsing a risk assessment approach to regulate facial recognition and other biometric technologies in principle. In response to the Attorney-General's consultation on the Privacy Act Review report, the University of Technology Sydney reiterated its call for immediate action on specialised regulation for facial recognition technology. The challenge posed by facial recognition technology is achieving a delicate balance between reaping its benefits and mitigating its risks. The legal framework proposed in Australia offers a starting point for a dedicated regulatory approach to protect citizens' privacy rights and ensure that human rights obligations are met. You can read the HTI report here: https://www.uts.edu.au/sites/default/files/2022-09/Facial%20recognition%20model%20law%20report.pdf

Focusing on TikTok's Chinese ownership diverts attention from a broader issue concerning social media apps and their functionality. This problem is not limited to a single app but affects all applications and services, amassing user data. This mindset resembles saying that due to some faulty products, only local manufacturers should be allowed to sell products, banning foreign ones. Prohibiting an app based on its country of origin fails to address the overarching issue concerning all apps, irrespective of location or ownership. Apps gather extensive amounts of information on us, such as browsing history, social media activity across all our platforms, and location data which is constantly updated. Ad-supported apps, free to use but generating revenue through advertisements, accumulate vast user data to develop detailed user profiles. In Meta's Terms of Service (Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp), under the section "Permissions You Give to Us," it states: "When you share, post, or upload content that is covered by intellectual property rights (like photos or videos) on or in connection with our Products, you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, and worldwide license to host, use, distribute, modify, run, copy, publicly perform or display, translate, and create derivative works of your content" This section of Meta's Terms of Service highlights that when you share content protected by intellectual property rights, you grant Meta a sublicensable, royalty-free license to use your information in various ways, including hosting, distributing, and modifying it globally. While this allows the platform to provide a more personalised experience, it raises privacy concerns for users who may not fully understand the extent of their content's usage and sharing and the rights they are granting to the platform. In simple terms, a "sublicensable, royalty-free license" means that when you share content on the platform, you allow Meta to use your content without paying you any fees. They can also grant permission to others (third parties) to use your content. "Hosting, distributing, and modifying it globally" means that Meta can store, share, and make changes to your content worldwide, across its various services and products. This data is used for different purposes, such as improving the user experience and delivering personalised advertisements. While some find this beneficial, it presents considerable privacy concerns as the online world outpaces privacy laws. Existing laws provide insufficient protection against the sale or theft of private information by any party, including governments. Consequently, consenting to terms and conditions without fully understanding them enables any entity, like app developers or government agencies, to use the data for their own purposes. The controversy surrounding TikTok underscores this issue. There are concerns that the Chinese government might exploit the app to spy on users and gather sensitive information. Although ByteDance, the app's parent company, denies such connections, these concerns have spurred calls for banning TikTok in Australia and other countries. However, banning TikTok is a limited solution that overlooks the broader problem applicable to all apps, regardless of ownership. TikTok is not the only app accumulating vast user data. And China is not the only country that MAY be using the data from apps. The controversy surrounding TikTok highlights the broader issue of data privacy and surveillance concerns that extend to other countries, including the United States. Similar strategies are employed by various governments to access user data, with legal provisions allowing them to do so. For example, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) allows the government to access user data for national security purposes in the United States. Under Section 702 of FISA, the US government can collect and use the communications of non-US persons outside the United States, which may incidentally include data from US citizens. Additionally, the USA PATRIOT Act expands the government's ability to conduct surveillance on US citizens and non-citizens, often without a warrant. In the UK, the Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016 has been a controversial legislation that governs surveillance and data collection by law enforcement agencies. The IPA provides authorities with broad powers to access communications data, including internet browsing history, and intercept communications. The act also requires telecommunications companies to store communication data for up to 12 months, which authorities can access without a warrant in certain circumstances. The legislation has been criticized for its lack of transparency, and concerns have been raised regarding its impact on privacy and civil liberties. However, the UK government has defended the legislation as necessary for national security and public safety. In the European Union, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) governs data protection and privacy for individuals within the EU. However, the legislation allows for certain exceptions in the interest of public security, defense, and law enforcement. For instance, EU member states may introduce specific provisions to address national security concerns, enabling them to access user data in specific circumstances. Australia has its own legislation, such as the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, which permits law enforcement agencies to access metadata and intercept communications in specific situations, subject to obtaining a warrant. Regardless of location or ownership, ad-supported apps collect and use user data in obscure and manipulative ways. Another thing to consider is the data collection practices of daycare centres and primary schools that use "journaling" or "compliance" apps. I recently submitted a paper on this subject, which has been accepted for presentation at the European Digital Education Network Conference in Dublin this June. My paper examines how many educational institutions now depend on apps that collect and store vast amounts of information on children, encompassing sensitive data like health records, daily routines, and developmental milestones. These apps provide compliance data, convenience, and enhanced communication for parents but also pose considerable risks to children's privacy and security. Addressing crucial questions regarding data storage, protection, access, and deletion is of paramount importance in mitigating these risks. Given the sensitive nature of the data involved, there is a pressing need for increased efforts to protect children's privacy. One crucial step is prioritising the development of robust regulations and guidelines for these apps, starting with those used in daycare centres. The terms and conditions of numerous daycare and primary school apps frequently include clauses that grant a "sublicensable, royalty-free license to use your information in various ways, such as hosting, distributing, and modifying it worldwide." Often, parents agree to these terms without fully comprehending the implications, unintentionally giving away their children's data without proper knowledge of the potential consequences. This situation urgently needs improvement. Parents must be thoroughly informed during enrollment and given the choice to consent or refuse without fear of discrimination, such as their child being excluded from photos. Schools and daycare centers should adopt alternative communication methods, such as emailing information to parents, instead of relying on apps that expose children's photos and personal data, like birthdates, in group posts. Additionally, there is a need to address the data collection practices of these apps. Parents play a vital role in safeguarding their children's privacy. They should carefully review the privacy policies of these apps before signing and limit the amount of personal information disclosed. In the larger scheme of things, it is essential to establish more robust data protection laws and regulations to guarantee privacy and data security for all apps, regardless of ownership, location, or the possibility of government access. Implementing such measures could involve: Introducing stricter data breach notification requirements. Imposing limits on the sale and sharing of personal information in ad-supported apps. Enforcing higher penalties for companies that fail to safeguard user data. Currently, I spend part of the year in Italy, where I am at the moment. For example, Italy has taken action against ChatGPT by banning access due to a suspected violation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which governs data protection and privacy for individuals within the European Union. Meanwhile, Australia has yet to introduce comparable measures. However, the potential ban on TikTok (whether it materializes or not) could serve as a first step towards more stringent data protection regulations in the country.

In a world where everyone has a voice through social media, getting caught up in the whirlwind of opinions and emotions surrounding celebrities' lives is easy. Fans can quickly become overly invested, often forgetting that celebrities are human beings with their own feelings and vulnerabilities. This is all too common, with countless instances of celebrities' personal lives becoming the subject of heated debate and criticism on various social media platforms. But i Celebrities might appear to be living a life far removed from our own, but they, too, are susceptible to the emotional consequences of online attacks. The media's relentless focus on their relationships, breakups, and personal drama only fuels fans' passionate responses. One recent example involves the tumultuous romantic history of a famous pop star and her on-and-off-again relationship with a well-known musician. After finally calling it quits and moving on to new relationships, fans of both parties have waged online wars against each other, slinging insults and even death threats in the name of their favorite celebrities. What's crucial to note here is that the celebrities themselves have tried to quell the hostility, with one party reaching out to her fans via social media to ask for an end to the hateful comments and threats. Despite her pleas, cyberbullying continues to persist, a troubling reality in today's digital age. The fact remains that people of all ages engage in this behavior, not just young fans. Parents and older adults must also be mindful of the content they consume and share regarding celebrities' lives. Indulging in gossip and negative commentary perpetuates a toxic online culture and sets a poor example for younger generations. Everyone has opinions, and feeling passionate about subjects or individuals is natural. However, there's a fine line between expressing one's thoughts respectfully and engaging in harmful, abusive behaviour. It's vital to remember that discussion and disagreement can occur openly and politely without resorting to personal attacks or threats. By being mindful of our words and actions on social media, we can foster a more compassionate online world for everyone.

Snapchat. An app once used primarily by the younger generations. An app that allows us to track our friends and stay up to date, but does this need to be caught up in the so-called loop, the gossip puts us in a position of danger, one where our self-worth is dependent upon others. Snapchat is releasing a feature where you and your friends can keep track of your activity throughout the day. The collaboration between Strava and Snapchat works by connecting with your Strava account, where you instantly have access to stats and maps from any recent activity. You will then be prompted to take a picture and upload it to Snapchat, where you can share it with Strava’s 100 million followers and Snapchat's 363 million regular users. You can become creative and add stickers, music, and filters from this point. For some, this may sound like a dream. Adding a bit of competition, they may finally take the plunge and go for a swim, run or walk, or train for that marathon they have always wanted to do. For others, this may sound like a nightmare. Nobody wants to know that the neighbour 4 doors down has run 6km whilst you have barely hit 3,000 steps. It’s a slap in the face, a constant reminder of what others are doing and what you are not. It is important to note that Snapchat is taking the great initiative to entice older users onto the platform, but they are just going the wrong way about it. Leave the fitness to the fitness apps. There is a multitude of alternatives to the Snapchat x Strava collaboration. Nike run club or pump up allows you to still compete against your friends, but it is only aimed at those also working out. Many people like to share their workouts because they are proud of their achievements and because they want to encourage other people because it holds them accountable. Sometimes it may even be to make others feel bad whilst making yourself feel better. Your reasons are your own, but it stands to reason that some people just don’t want to know. If I see people that have run, hiked, or done any form of physical activity that day, I also need to work out. Not because I want to but because it makes me feel like I have been lazy if I haven’t worked out in some capacity. As a person who has dealt with issues regarding body image, seeing how little activity I have done throughout the day does not inspire a need to compete but instead a bout of self-loathing. Snapchat hasn’t introduced this new collaboration to encourage people to work out but instead as a way to separate themselves from competitors, as a way to increase the number of users, and expand the number of age groups who use the app. Introducing a fitness feature, shouldn’t be about the money lining the company's pockets. It should be about the users. Their health, overall well-being, and safety. Now to talk about the obvious. If people can track you on your journey if they can look at your route, can they follow you? Stalk you? Track you down? Find your home? The uncomplicated answer is yes. Here is where it gets tricky. There are two options. You can share your journey with your followers or everyone. The only catch is that whilst some people only befriend those they know in real life on the app, most people friend whoever sends a friend request. The result is hundreds if not thousands of strangers friending a person resulting in hundreds if not thousands of people knowing where you run, walk, bike, or hike. Personally, I am not a fan of the feature. I hate it. I couldn’t care less about how other people are spending their time. Wear what you want, go where you want, and do what you want just don’t share that information with me. It is great when people decide to better themselves, and I am all for it but share it with people who know what it means to go to the gym instead of a person who would rather spend their time doing something else. Snapchat has introduced this feature in order to appeal to older users; however, at the end of the day, Snapchat is still Snapchat. It is still a platform that focuses on taking photos, sending messages that can’t be seen more than once, and sharing short clips. You can introduce a fitness aspect, but it doesn’t mean those that are older will join when other options are not overrun by younger users, which are easier to navigate and less addictive. Whilst Snapchat has taken a shot at introducing a fitness feature, I think this might just be a miss, a fail, and an overall waste of time.

New Years Eve. A night filled with hope, excitement, and possibilities for the year to come. Everyone makes new year's resolutions and are extremely optimistic that they can achieve them. We celebrate a year been and toast to the one to come. It's a night of new beginnings. Around this time on social media, there's a large focus on the idea of 'New Year New Me,' with people aiming to restart their lives in 2023. It's the start of' 30-day challenges' and companies are pushing harder with weight loss and dieting ads. Everyone shares their goals and hopes of what they can achieve in the coming year. While this can be great and motivational for some people, it can also be really toxic. It becomes a breeding ground for unrealistic goals (usually around extreme weight loss and fitness). This is places a massive pressure and expectation on everyone to have a big new year's resolution and get lots done with their lives in an unrealistic time span, making us feel bad when we get to February and have done nothing! You see the memes about 'January is my free trial, 2023 actually starts in February' or 'Me at the end of January already giving up on this year'. It is especially overwhelming for people with mental health issues and problems surrounding food and body image. #newyearnewme has over 2.3M posts, majority focused on diet culture, exercise, and memes about 2023 already being a bad year. Studies done by University of Alaska Anchorage show that only 46% of people claim that their new year's resolution was successful. People will quickly give up and then wait until the new year to start again. You can set goals all through the year, you don't have to wait until 2024 to make changes in your life! In the last year especially, there's been more a shift towards a 'New Year Same Me' in body positive and body neutral communities. This focuses on abandoning the idea of new year's resolutions, along with our bodies' bouncing back' after the festive season. It's all outdated and as a society we're already moving past it! It's ok to have small goals at the start of a new year or not even have goals or expectations at all. It's also ok if your only goal is to get through the year alive. But before you find yourself swept up in the world of resolutions and the 'new you,' take a step back and ask yourself these questions: Why am I doing this? Are my goals achievable? Do they benefit me long term? When you've established what you actually want from your goals, the best way to make it achievable is to plan. Make sure your goal isn't too big and can be easily divided into steps or other parts that make it easier to tackle. Remember that you can always adjust your goal over time to make it more achievable. Ensure that you also have people around you who can support you. If your goal is to eat cleaner, consider going to see a nutritionist. If your goal is to go out at least once a month, have a friend or accountability buddy who can encourage you. And this is the same when you're talking to your kids: Be ok with small goals, because these usually lead to bigger achievements in the future. You don't need to push us so hard to be better, society is already pressuring us to do that. It's ok to take a step back and just cheer us on. Your support and a gentle push is sometimes all we need. No progress is still progress! It's ok to have a month where not much happens. As long as we are still moving forward, we're well on the way to achieving our goal. Setbacks happen. Give us (and yourself!) room to make mistakes and mess up. We're all human! Mistakes are part of the journey and help make us stronger and more resilient. If something happens, don't let us give up. Sometimes all that is needed is to just take a step back, re-evaluate, and make adjustments if needed. The road to success is never a straight one. Positive role modelling. Not all goals have to necessarily be about body or weight. Make sure you are demonstrating healthy goal setting behaviours. Kids are just a mirror of their parents, and if you make all your goals about your appearances, they're going to do the same thing. If you're also not committing fully to your goals, how do you expect your kids to?

The rapid rise of Lemon8 by Bytedance (parent company of TikTok) again highlights the increasing challenges for parents, guardians, and teachers to stay ahead, or at least keep up with, what is happening online. Lemon8 has quickly become a popular platform in the US and is expected to gain momentum worldwide. While Lemon8 is not yet available for download in Australia, its success in the US suggests that it will soon arrive on our shores. The app has already ranked in the top 10 apps on the US App Store's Top Charts. Its rapid rise in popularity among young creatives underscores the importance of staying informed about emerging social media trends and platforms. Comparable to a cross between Instagram and Pinterest, Lemon8 is a cutting-edge platform for creators to share their experiences through photos and short videos, focusing on wellness, travel, food, and beauty. To create a post, you'll need to give Lemon8 access to your photos, which can be done either selectively or by granting access to your entire camera roll. Once you've selected your desired photos or videos for your post, you can choose from various templates that align with the theme of your content. Lemon8's For You page bears a striking resemblance to Instagram's Explore page. With a focus on photo-sharing, brand advertising, and selling an aesthetic, Lemon8's interface and influencer posting habits closely mirror those of Instagram. One significant difference between the two platforms is that Lemon8 lacks a user verification system. However, with the app preparing for an official launch in May, this will create a need for verifying users, which may prompt the development of a verification system on Lemon8. The inner workings of Lemon8's algorithm remain somewhat of a mystery. However, according to The New York Times, ByteDance employs the same algorithm on Lemon8 as on TikTok. As a result, engaging with Lemon8's For You page, liking posts that resonate with you, and ignoring content that doesn't align with your interests can help train your account's algorithm. As with most social media apps, Lemon8 collects and shares user data. When signing up for the app, Lemon8 collects profile information such as your phone number, username, email address, and gender. The app also tracks your interactions with posts to curate your algorithm and personalize your experience. Lemon8 uses some of this information to target you with specific ads, similar to other social media platforms. It's worth noting that Lemon8's privacy policy indicates that the app may share information with other members or affiliates of ByteDance. This raises concerns about data security and the possibility of personal advertising being streamed across your TikTok and Lemon8 accounts. It's essential to be aware of these privacy risks and proactively protect your data online. This includes reviewing the privacy policies of any social media app you use, limiting the amount of personal information you share online, and using strong passwords and two-factor authentication to secure your accounts. Remember, Apps that look safe and fun soon become platforms that share inappropriate or confronting content. As we've seen repeatedly with other social media apps, they can soon pose significant risks to young people. Risks can include exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and privacy breaches. It's crucial to stay informed about emerging platforms and trends and to take proactive steps to protect children online.