The term "fake news" has largely (and rightfully) been discredited because, at best, it's simplistic and, at worst, used to dismiss or discredit legitimate news providers. But there is such a thing as real fake news: misinformation and disinformation that goes viral in this digital age and then leads to real tragedy. So the "Blue Whale" story is no longer about "fake news." To Dan Reidenberg, … [Read more...] about When ‘fake news’ becomes real: What next with ‘Blue Whale’?
Literacy & Citizenship
6 takeaways from 20 years of Net safety: Part 2
Now that I've just passed the 20-year mark of writing about youth and digital media, I thought I'd share with you my top takeaways as a participant observer in the Internet safety space. Here's Part 1. Now the three chunks of Part 2: 4. It's individual, situational and contextual. Internet safety works best from the inside out. I love the irony of generalizing the individuality of social … [Read more...] about 6 takeaways from 20 years of Net safety: Part 2
Core concern: ‘Blue Whale’ & the social norms research
June 11, 2017, adding an update in the form of author, journalist and game designer Andrea Angiolino's response to sensationalist tabloid "coverage" in Italy of a new arrest in Russia – see the first sidebar below. My first post on the "Blue Whale challenge" was published March 13 here. Much has happened since then in a number of countries, so an update is in order, but I hope you agree that the … [Read more...] about Core concern: ‘Blue Whale’ & the social norms research
‘Blue Whale’ game: ‘Fake news’ about teens spread internationally
[Thank you to all commenters on this post! I've just posted an update (5/17/17) that I hope you'll read before commenting further here.] It has been reported as real news here in the U.S. in recent weeks, just as it was earlier in eastern Europe, and what a dark, disrespectful message it sends about young people in any country. I'm talking about coverage of the so-called "Blue Whale suicide … [Read more...] about ‘Blue Whale’ game: ‘Fake news’ about teens spread internationally
In 2017, chatbots & other imaginary friends
I am not kidding: The latest tech developments – and certainly not just those aimed at kids – remind me of the much-loved cartoon show of the last decade, "Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends." There are all kinds of imaginary friends emerging, from the toy kind to the digital kind to the kind kids believe they are and have as fans of each other. That probably doesn't make complete sense yet, so … [Read more...] about In 2017, chatbots & other imaginary friends