Praesidio Safeguarding’s Post

TikTok has taken a step towards prioritizing online safety for younger users by initiating its global Youth Council, consisting of 15 teenagers from various countries. The Council recently met with TikTok CEO Shou Chew to discuss enhancing the app's reporting and blocking processes, as well as redesigning TikTok's Youth Portal. These efforts align with legislative measures like the Online Safety Act, demanding stringent user protection, especially for children. Involving young voices directly in discussions about online safety is crucial, and I'm encouraged by TikTok's proactive step in forming the Youth Council. However, as someone who has witnessed the negative impacts social media, particularly TikTok, has on youth, I am not convinced this is the answer. What are your thoughts? #TikTok #SocialMedia #ProtectKids #OnlineSafety

🚫 STOP right there! 🚫 If you're making decisions for young people without young people, we need to have a little chat... Seriously, how can you create services that actually work for young people without their two cents? Or roll out the next big tech without their seal of approval? Or make those oh-so-important education calls without their voices in the mix? We live by the motto: "Nothing about us without us." Because, let's face it, working FOR young people means working WITH young people. It's the only way to do it right! 🙌 Think about it: how many times have you tried doing something for a young person, didn't listen to them, and… well, it crashed and burned like a failed TikTok challenge? We see it all too often. The fix? Super simple. Work with young people first, and trust us, they’ll show you the way. That’s where we come in! 👋 If you're tired of the same old "youth engagement flops," stop stressing and send us a message. Let’s chat about how we can create a future together where youth voices are front and centre! #YouthEngagement #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #YouthInAction

🔹 How Teens Use Facebook Now 🔹 While Facebook may not be the first platform that comes to mind for teens, it still remains valuable in their social media landscape. Today's teens are turning to Facebook primarily for its groups, which provide a space for shared interests, hobbies, and community building. These groups allow for deeper connections and collaborative discussions, making Facebook a valuable resource for teens. The Power of Facebook Groups 🌟 Teens use Facebook groups to connect with like-minded peers for school clubs, sports teams, gaming communities, or other special interests. These groups offer a sense of belonging and an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations. Why Facebook Groups Matter 🗣️ Groups on Facebook allow teens to: 👉 Collaborate on Projects: Teens can work together and share resources, whether a school assignment or a personal interest. 👉 Stay Updated: Teens can keep up with events, announcements, and important community information. 👉 Build Communities: Teens can find and create supportive environments where they can express themselves and find encouragement. Should Parents Join Facebook? Joining Facebook can give parents a glimpse into the interests and activities that captivate their teens. It’s a great way to understand their world and find common interests. Encouraging Responsible Use 🔒 👉 Privacy Settings: Help teens manage their privacy settings to control who can see their content. 👉 Positive Interactions: Foster a culture of kindness and respect to combat cyberbullying. 👉 Engagement: Encourage teens to engage positively and constructively in their groups. Understanding the evolving ways teens use Facebook can lead to more informed and mindful usage. Open dialogues about social media can help teens navigate their digital lives responsibly. #FacebookGroups #TeenUsage #SocialMediaSafety #DigitalParenting #OnlineResponsibility #CommunityBuilding

Welcome to Purpose Led Youth Group - Where Purpose Meets Passion! Are you a young change maker, 35 Years and Below, passionate about creating a positive impact in the world? Do you believe in the power of collective action to drive meaningful change? If so, we invite you to join our vibrant WhatsApp community of purpose-led youths! At Purpose Led Youth group, we're on a mission to empower young leaders like you to make a difference in your communities and beyond. Whether you're passionate about environmental sustainability, social justice, education, or any other cause, you'll find a supportive and inspiring community here to connect with. What You’ll Find in Our Community: 🌟 A Safe and Inclusive Space: Join a welcoming community where you can freely express yourself, share your ideas, and connect with like-minded individuals who share your values and passions. 🌱 Inspiring Discussions: Engage in meaningful conversations on topics ranging from sustainability and social impact to personal development and leadership. Share your insights, learn from others, and collaborate on projects that matter. 🌍 Opportunities for Action: Discover opportunities to get involved in impactful initiatives, volunteer projects, and advocacy campaigns that align with your interests and values. Together, we can turn ideas into action and create positive change in the world. 📚 Valuable Resources: Access a wealth of resources, including articles, videos, and expert insights, to deepen your understanding of key issues and enhance your skills as a change maker. Stay informed, inspired, and empowered to make a difference. 🎉 Fun and Engaging Events: Participate in virtual meetups, workshops, and challenges designed to foster connection, creativity, and collaboration. Celebrate successes, learn from failures, and have fun along the way! ✨ Join Us and Be the Change: If you're ready to connect with a diverse community of purpose-driven youths who are committed to making a positive impact, we'd love to have you onboard! Simply click the link below to join our WhatsApp community and start your journey towards creating a better world together. Join Now: https://lnkd.in/dyhCHwjy Let's inspire, support, and empower each other to unleash our full potential and create a brighter future for generations to come. Together, we can change the world! See you inside!

The ongoing debate over banning young people from social media often centres around safety, but I believe we need a more nuanced view. Rather than outright age restrictions, shouldn’t we focus on equipping kids with the tools to navigate these platforms safely? Social media is an integral part of today’s world, and rather than shielding kids completely, teaching them to use it responsibly could prepare them for a more connected future. There’s also a significant body of research that supports teens having access to social media (disclosure: including my own), showing how it can foster social connections, community engagement, and even enhance learning opportunities. Many studies suggest that, when used mindfully, social media can provide young people with a valuable sense of belonging and support networks that are critical during adolescence. Instead of blanket bans, a balanced approach with guidance, parental involvement, and open conversations might be more effective. Let’s focus on building a safer, more informed generation of digital citizens rather than denying them access to an integral part of modern life. (Yes, I did intentionally choose to share a ticky-tok video for this post for obvious reasons!) https://lnkd.in/gBst5NJ8

Meta Annouces 'INSTAGRAM TEEN ACCOUNT' A Good Foot Forward To Protect Young Social Media Users And Re-assure Parents Of The Safety And Protection Of Their Kids On #Instagram. INSTRAGRAM TEEN ACCOUNT Feature Explained: 📌 Teens Would Be Automatically Placed Into Teen Account, And This Account Would Be In Private Mode By Default. 📌 Teens Would Be Automaticaly Placed Into Restrictive Settings Control Limiting Their Access To Sensitive Content. 📌 Teens Can Only Be Mentioned/Tagged And Messaged By Existing Followers And Connections. 📌 Teens Under Ages 16 Would Need Consent From Parents/Guardians To Change Any Of The Built-In Protection Features. 📌 Teens Would Be Notified To Leave Instagram App After 1 Hour Daily. 📌 Sleep Mode Notification Would Be Enabled Within The Periods Of 10am To 7pm Forcing Every Incoming message Within The Stipulated Time Into DMs. Visit Link To Learn More: https://lnkd.in/edBm9stx #iSafeKidsAfrica Raising Safe And Responsible Digital Citizens. #childonlinesafety #digitalcitizenship #socialmedia #csam #teensandtech #tech #screentime #onlinesafety #internetsafekidsafrica

Through my years and years of mentoring and app building with teens and preteens, I've observed an interesting trend. (they come up with their own ideas during hackathons and classes taken, I'm there to guide only) When it comes to female app ideas, safety for women is always a top priority. These ideas always seem to focus on ways to alert others in times of trouble, share locations, and prevent kidnapping, assaults or tampering with drinks. On the other hand, male-created apps often revolve around simplifying moms' grocery shopping experiences or introducing new gaming concepts like dragon games. This pattern is consistent across different countries as I've mentored, highlighting the universal concern for girls' safety above all else. Today, I want to shed light on a topic that I've never openly discussed before. Imagine the innovative solutions these young women could generate if fear didn't limit their creativity. #Innovation #TechIndustry #SafetyFirst

Last week, we announced that TikTok will be age-restricting (to 18+) some appearance-altering-filters as well as providing more information to teens about how filters may change their appearance (and build more critical media literacy about how filters may be used by others). Informed by a research collaboration with Internet Matters, this change is grounded in perspectives from teens who told us about how filters and effects can provide fun and age-appropriate ways of trying on different looks and identities (who doesn't like bunny ears?) but that lack of transparency about filters can undermine authenticity and transmit the idea that people on the internet (unlike in 'real life') are always 'perfect.' Read more: https://lnkd.in/gWbTztMS https://lnkd.in/ggftbxpG

Today at Meta, we’re announcing our latest and most significant measure to keep teens safe and put parents at ease: Instagram Teen Accounts, a new experience for teens, guided by parents. The new Teen Account protections are designed to address parents’ biggest concerns, including who their teens are talking to online, the content they’re seeing and whether their time is being well spent. These protections are turned on automatically, and parents decide if teens under 16 can change any of these settings to be less strict. Many parents may want to be even more involved in their teen’s experiences, so we’re also adding to our supervision feature. These updates include seeing insights into who their teens are chatting with, blocking teens from using Instagram for specific time periods and seeing topics your teen is looking at. We know many parents, regulators and safety organisations are discussing how best to keep young people safe online at the moment. Our goal is to ensure parents feel supported and confident that their teens are using Instagram safely. 🔗 To find out more information, click here: https://lnkd.in/gtAze9Mp #Instagram #TeenAccounts #Safety