Hey Friends,

So today is Safer Internet Day 2021.

I have to admit I hadn't heard about this initiative until today, but I really like what they are trying to promote. Essentially they are partnership of three leading organisations: Childnet International, Internet Watch Foundation and SWGfL with one mission - to promote the safe and responsible use of technology for young people.

One area of particular interest was their research about fake and misleading news. They report that half of young people encounter misleading content online on a daily basis. Specifically:

• 48% of young people are seeing misleading content every day, with more than one in 10 seeing it more than six times a day - often leaving them feeling annoyed, upset, sad, angry, attacked or scared
• 43% of young people have noticed their friends and peers sharing misleading content (such as fake news) online
• 62% of young people have had friend requests from people they don’t know

These findings are obviously worrying and demonstrate the growing issue of fake and misleading news, especially amongst young people. The question of how we stop it, while respecting and maintaining freedom of speech remains unanswered, but one I would like to explore more both at work as part of my research, but also on here with you guys.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions about this topic, so please free to get in touch

For now have a great week.

Take care,

Chris

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Things I've found interesting this week

\\ One Link: Spotify wants to suggest songs based on your emotions

\\ Two Link: The computers rejecting your job application

\\ Three Link: How Far is Too Far? - The Age of A.I.

Favourite Quote

As children are living in an increasingly digital world, it is vitally important that they are able to separate fact from fiction and challenge or question any misinformation they may come across

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