Here we are again. Remember “Blue Whale,” then “Momo”? Well, the B.W. challenge, or self-harm “game,” has been warmed over and repackaged with a new name and face with the creepiness of a Momo. This time it’s a weird, scary version of the cartoon character Goofy. [I don’t know—does familiarity make it less scary or more so?] In any case, its predecessors were both hoaxes, so it would be hard for … [Read more...] about Yup. New ‘Blue Whale’ with a Momo-style twist
Research
2 new papers spell a turning point for digital safety & citizenship: Part 2
The timing struck me. Though it seems all of life is at an inflection point now, in the middle of a pandemic, two new papers that represent a pivotal moment for digital safety and citizenship education are published almost at the same time. Individually and together, they offer new guidance that simply mustn’t be lost in the Covid-19 din. Thus this 2-part series. Part 1 was on safety, and here’s … [Read more...] about 2 new papers spell a turning point for digital safety & citizenship: Part 2
2 new papers spell a turning point for digital safety & citizenship: Part 1
The timing struck me. Though it seems all of life is at an inflection point now, in the middle of a pandemic, two just-published papers represent a crucial one for digital safety and citizenship education. Individually and together, they offer new guidance that simply mustn’t be lost in the Covid-19 din. The scholars point the way forward for teaching young people essential skills for life in a … [Read more...] about 2 new papers spell a turning point for digital safety & citizenship: Part 1
Screens kids use, Part 2: Research turning a corner
This subject – at this writing, about 3 weeks after I posted Part 1 – almost seems like that of a previous era, with all we’ve experienced since then (see this in The Atlantic from history professor Rebecca Spang). But we, societies around the world, will still be wrestling with this question of humans and screens in the pandemic’s aftermath, so I'm keeping going. Here’s Part 2, taking stock of … [Read more...] about Screens kids use, Part 2: Research turning a corner
Screens kids use, Part 1: Everywhere and ‘irrelevant’
The webinar was set up as a debate, a transatlantic one between psychology Prof. Sonia Livingstone at the London School of Economics and health sciences Assoc. Prof. Kristi Adamo at the University of Ottawa. They were asked to talk about “screen time” by their hosts at the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity – whether it’s good, bad or both. Dr. Livingstone was … [Read more...] about Screens kids use, Part 1: Everywhere and ‘irrelevant’