Nathan Walker’s Post

The African Internet Rights Alliance (AIRA), recently hosted a special edition of #AIRALightningTalks. This series, recognizing the African Union's dedication of 2024 as the Year of Education, explored the critical intersection of #DigitalRights and #Education in Africa. Representing PIN, my talk, "Protecting Children Learners from Cyber Bullying and Harmful Content in the Use of the Internet for Learning," was one of many insightful presentations by AIRA members. Key takeaway: As we embrace digital learning tools, educators, caregivers, and parents must be vigilant about the '4Cs' of online risks for children: 1. Contact 2. Content 3. Conduct 4. Contract While our lightning talks couldn't cover all aspects of these crucial topics, they sparked important conversations on digital safety in education across Africa. I'm eager to learn more about what strategies you found effective in promoting safe internet use for learning in your communities. #AIRALightningTalks #DigitalRights #Education #AfricanUnion #YearOfEducation #DigitalSafety #OnlineLearning #CyberBullying #ChildProtection #EdTech

Watch Now: Empowering Students Against Antisemitism on Campus. Are you a student facing antisemitism at your university? Watch our latest video for practical tips and supportive advice. SACC by EJC has put together essential recommendations to help you on how to respond to on campus. Feel free to share it. Let's support each other! Remember, you are not alone, together, we can stand strong against hate and stay safer. #togetherwearesafer #StandUpAgainstAntisemitism #CampusSupport #SACCbyEJC #StudentVoices #StudentSupport #CampusUnity #security #europe #securityawareness #university #campus #antisemitism #advice #recommendations

Last Thursday, we were delighted to welcome International Telecommunication Union experts to lead a session on child online protection in and through sport! Young Coaches from Ecuador, currently participating in the online module of our Education Programme, explored this topic that affects themselves and the children they teach every day. Designed and led by ITU child online protection experts Luisa Sotomayor, Pablo Palacios, and Fanny Rotino, the session addressed the opportunities and risks the online world presents for children, including challenges such as cyber bullying and sexual exploitation and abuse online, as well as inappropriate content and misinformation. The discussion also highlighted the unique role coaches play as mentors. Coaches and wider sport organisations can raise awareness not only among the children they work with but also among their parents and wider communities, fostering safer and more informed online behaviour. The Young Coaches had the opportunity to delve into real-life scenarios and explore reporting mechanisms to respond to and effectively prevent harm done online. This session is part of the ongoing partnership with International Telecommunication Union, which emphasises the importance of protecting and empowering children both online and offline, using sport as a powerful platform for change. #togetherweinspire

: While we take a short break from #cybersecurityeducation and #digitalliteracy, T-ATP would like to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July! We hope you celebrate with family and friends. #digitalequity #digitalliteracymatters #digitalequitychampion #educationequity #educationpolicy #educationlaw #digitalinclusion #techforgood #techinnovation #STEM #STEAM #eradicatingthedigitaldivideonestudentatatime

This is an amazing piece of journalism about child safety and online use. "Jason Kelley, a lead researcher on EFF’s GoGuardian investigation, The Red Flag Machine, looked into Safe Kids in response to an inquiry by The Markup. Accustomed to pointing out how bad filters are, he offered surprised praise for Safe Kids, commending its focus on privacy, its open source code that offers transparency about its model, and its context-specific blocking" I am so proud of Aahil and his work on his mission. You can read the article below: https://lnkd.in/ewYzHNgy

🤝 EITHOS EU Project teams up with CESAGRAM Project EU 🤝   🚀 We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with CESAGRAM Project EU that is working towards a Comprehensive European Strategy against Grooming and Missing children (Research, Training, Awareness Raising, creation of an AI Tool, and advocacy). Our respective topic is different but we have many points in common in the way to tackle it.   🌱 Training & Awareness: We're enhancing educational initiatives, empowering the general public to navigate challenges in the digital landscape and the law enforcement to better address the related issues. 📣 Voices Matter: We're elevating the voices of victims, fostering empathy, understanding, and positive change. 🔨 Tools for Impact: While CESAGRAM Project EU AI tools will facilitate the detection and prevention of grooming content online, EITHOS EU Project tools will help to detect deepfakes. 👧 Children as a priority: While they are the exclusive target for CESAGRAM Project EU, we also consider them as a priority as they are more likely to lack a certain critical thinking and online safety skills.   #ReportOIDT #YourIDmatters #IdentityRecovery #children #cyber

These discussions on KOSA were had back in February 2024, before the text was strengthened even further. This is a well written piece on some of the many nuances. Question the narratives that Big Tech and those who profit from its shocking lack of regulation push so hard. We know these companies are preying on children (identifying and exploiting their vulnerabilities for profit). We know this and yet, somehow, they have turned the focus on issues like whether KOSA will survive a first amendment challenge if passed and what Big Tech might or might not do if it does survive. This is crazy, and whether or not Big Tech can buy or lie its way out of regulatory oversight and transparency requirements is not the standard by which we judge the need for such oversight and transparency. #PassKOSPA

Let's talk about how we all could use a break from social media from time to time. Let's talk about how we have to do more to protect and equip our children, students and young relatives as they're navigating life in the digital age. In case you you aren't aware, social media can negatively affect girls’ well-being. The risks include cyberbullying, data misuse, ID theft, offensive messages and images, scams and fake news... This recent UNESCO report sheds light on what we already know but need to be reminded of so that we can DO SOMETHING about it. https://lnkd.in/d5T6WGZr

What protocols should be in place for school staff to de-escalate situations stemming from online conflicts before they result in physical violence? Addressing Cyberbullying and School Violence: Lessons from the Bluffton Middle School Incident Three Bluffton Middle School students face charges after a violent bus fight, triggered by the sharing of a nude photo. The incident, captured on video, shows one girl repeatedly hitting another with a metal Stanley cup. The fight resulted in significant injuries, including lacerations requiring stitches and staples. Charges include assault and battery and unlawful communication. Key Takeaways: - Strengthening Cyberbullying Policies: Schools must implement and enforce strict anti-cyberbullying policies, ensuring students understand the consequences of sharing inappropriate content. - Enhanced Conflict Resolution Training: Educators and staff need training in conflict resolution and crisis intervention to effectively address and de-escalate situations before they escalate into violence. - Comprehensive Safety Programs: Schools should collaborate with parents and law enforcement to develop comprehensive safety programs that include cyber etiquette education and clear protocols for handling online and offline student conflicts. #schoolviolence #schoolsafety https://lnkd.in/g9FxpTYC

At the just ended Internet governance Forum organized by Internet Governance Forum Secretariat, Global Experts have called for stronger safeguard for children in the cyberspace. The digital age has opened a world of opportunities for children, but these benefits come with significant risks. This came to light when experts discussed the topic at the Internet Governance Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, this week. The theme for the discussion was: “Protecting Children’s Rights in the Digital World.” Read full article below 👇 https://lnkd.in/et6bWd8r