Twitter is running ads next to tweets from Holocaust deniers
- Twitter is benefitting from ads placed next to content from toxic and hateful accounts such as those belonging to Neo-Nazis and Holocaust deniers.
- The reach of these accounts ranges from thousands to tens of thousands of followers.
- All the accounts were linked to Twitter Blue, whose subscribers get a cut of the revenue for ads placed beneath their tweets.
- Twitter’s profits from the ads were up to $19 million a year from a selection of accounts with misogynistic and Neo-Nazi content.
- Companies whose ads were appearing alongside previously banned accounts said they would stop advertising on Twitter.
- For more on this, please visit the Verge website.
Google to expand misinformation “pre-bunking” in Europe
- Following the success of an initiative to fight online misinformation in Eastern Europe, Google will expand the new initiative to make people more resilient to effects of online misinformation.
- Using social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube and TikTok the tech company will release a series of short videos highlighting common techniques used in misleading claims.
- The aim of “pre-bunking” is to teach people to spot false claims before they encounter them.
- Pre-bunking seems to be an efficient way to address large scale misinformation.
- However, there are some challenges. The effects can wear off, booster videos would be required and videos must be tailored for all languages, cultures and demographics.
- For more please visit the Independent’s website.
Xbox boss says ‘there’s no silver bullet’ to solving online abuse – but outlines commitment to safety
- Microsoft’s Xbox Boss, Dave McCarthy, stated there is no definite way to protect women and minority groups that are facing online harassment and abuse.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used by Xbox to protect children online, through recognising abusive behavioural patterns in bot accounts.
- Despite this technology, Mr McCarthy still believes human ‘language specialists’ need to be used to identify abusive language.
- Xbox are now utilising its Minecraft franchise, for educational purposes, for example, how children can protect their data and be safe online.
- This is the result of recent requests for children in the UK to delete their TikTok, to prevent their information being used by Chinese intelligence.
- Microsoft is now working with the US and UK government on judicial improvements to online safety, with the UK being particularly open to the idea.
- For more information, see the Sky News website.
Epidemic of self-harm among young children
- Data from NHS Digital has shown that record numbers of young people are being admitted to hospital for self-harm incidents.
- The increase is being blamed on lockdowns, social media use and a lack of adequate mental health care by professionals.
- In one case in particular, a child waited over four years to get professional NHS support.
- The biggest rise in hospital admissions for self-harm and self-poisoning was among girls aged 9-12 years old.
- Cases involving girls have soared over the last decade, with incidents now 372% higher.
- Between April 2021 and April 2022, hospitals admitted 2,911 boys aged between 13 to 17 years old which is a 3% increase from the previous year.
- For more on this story, please visit the Express website.
‘Rapid rise’ in Andrew Tate-related cases referred to Prevent by Schools
- Counter-extremism workers have warned of a rapid rise in cases being referred to Prevent by schools, concerned about the influence of Andrew Tate.
- Incidents included verbal harassment of female teachers and female pupils echoing Andrew Tate’s views.
- Warnings come amidst criticism of a review of Prevent by William Shawcross which concluded the “misogynistic incel subculture” had been drawn to Andrew Tate.
- To read the full story, go to the Yahoo News website.
