Research + News | Topic: Online Safety

TikTok: Record Fine For Video Sharing App Over Children’s Data

Short-form video sharing app TikTok has been handed the largest ever fine for a US case involving children’s data privacy. Read the article here.

YouTube Under Fire For Recommending Videos Of Kids With Inappropriate Comments

From the article: “More than a year on from a child safety content moderation scandal on YouTube and it takes just a few clicks for the platform’s recommendation algorithms to redirect a search for “bikini haul” videos of adult women towards clips of scantily clad minors engaged in body contorting gymnastics or taking an ice bath or ice lolly sucking “challenge.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Parents’ Ultimate Guide To TikTok

Is TikTok safe? How does it work? And can I do a duet with my kid? Everything you need to know about this popular musical singing and sharing app. Read the breakdown from Common Sense Media here.

How To Protect Your Kid From ‘Fortnite’ Scams

The popular game has become an easy way for scammers to trick kids into sharing way too much information. Read the article from Common Sense Media here.

Many Teens Are ‘Sextortion’ Targets

Sextortion is threatening to share sexually explicit photos without consent if a person doesn’t agree to certain demands, such as sexual favors or money. Read the article here.

Google’s Parental Control Software Family Link Expands To Teens

Google’s parental control software for mobile devices, Family Link, will now help parents of teenagers, too. Read the article here.

What Teenagers Need To Know About Cybersecurity

Now that school is back in session, many high schoolers have new phones, new computers and new privileges for using their devices – and new responsibilities too. Read the article here.

Sick WhatsApp ‘Momo Suicide Game’ Infiltrates ‘Minecraft’

The horrific “Momo” WhatsApp ‘suicide game’ linked to the death of at least one teen has appeared in “Minecraft.” Read the article here.

Momo Challenge: 5 Fast Facts You Need To Know

Parents are worried that a new challenge known as the Momo Challenge  — rumored to be a suicide challenge on WhatsApp — might be the successor to the Blue Whale Challenge. Read the article here.

We Have Some Bad News For You About Porn

Internet filtering tools, like parental controls, are largely unsuccessful in preventing young people from watching porn online, according to new research from the Oxford Internet Institute. Read the article here.