media (@media@eicker.news)
»With Ring, American Consumers Built a Surveillance Dragnet« https://www.404media.co/with-ring-american-consumers-built-a-surveillance-dragnet/?eicker.media #media #socialmedia
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NieuwsJunkies (@NieuwsJunkies@mastodon.social)
📰 Prins William speelt latje trap met jonge voetbalsters tijdens bezoek aan Saudi-Arabië
https://nieuwsjunkies.nl/artikel/1vVl
🕞 15:37 | RTL Nieuws
🔸 #William #UK #SaudiArabie #Voetbal #SocialMedia
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toxify (@toxify@games.ngo)
43% of young men watching masculinity influencers found them motivating.
27% of young men watching masculinity influencers reported feelings of worthlessness.
https://uk.movember.com/movember-institute/masculinities-report
#masculinity #socialmedia #toxic #culture @sociology #sociology #influencers
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lowyat (@lowyat@mastodon.social)
Discord To Require Age Verification For Full App Access Starting Next Month #apps #discord #socialmedia
https://www.lowyat.net/2026/382782/discord-age-verification/
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objects (@objects@fe.disroot.org)
@crossgolf_rebel
Was ich in der Hinsicht verdammt schade finde ist, dass zB das @neuSoM zwar sehr engagiert darin ist, Universitäten und Bildungseinrichtungen ins Fediverse zu holen, dafür aber halt auch lediglich Mastodon (und PeerTube) promotet.
Jetzt sind zwar zig Unis im Fediverse, mit ihren Mastodon-Accounts, zB über wisskomm.social hier vertreten, aber *gerade* für Unis und Hochschulen, mit ihren zig Fakultäten, könnten Dienste, wie Friendica, Hubzilla,Sharkey sehr viel effizienter genutzt werden, und zwar weil diese Dienste die Möglichkeit für Kanäle anbieten.
So könnte jede Fakultät ihren eigenen Kanal bespielen, unter dem "Dach" (Account) der jeweiligen Uni/Hochschule, und die Follower könnten einzelnen Kanälen (Fakultäten) folgen, die sie interessieren.
Was für ein Potenzial - verschenkt!
Dass diese ganzen Unis/Hochschulen, über ihre Mastodon-Instanzen, lediglich 500 Zeichen je Beitrag nutzen können, und nicht zB 3000 - geschenkt!
So schade, dass solches Potenzial nicht genutzt wird!
cc @tudresden
#SocialMedia #SocialNetwork #Fediverse
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64bithero (@64bithero@mstdn.games)
It’s officially been over 3 years since I’ve starred on Mastodon. Rather then talk about what’s so great I figured I’d just list stuff I haven’t seen:
- I haven’t had any posts from people I don’t follow
- I haven’t been served ads for items I’ve spoke about near my phone or for that matter any ads at all
- I haven’t been served random articles similar to one article I clicked on out of curiosity like two years ago
- I haven’t been asked to upgrade or subscribe to anything
- I haven’t had AI shoved down my throat or have had AI slop dumped on me.
- I do not have bot accounts randomly messaging me
It’s better here and I don’t know why anyone would go anywhere else ..
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mruef (@mruef@infosec.exchange)
How safe are kids using social media? We did the groundwork | Malwarebytes #socialmedia #facebook #malware https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/family-and-parenting/2026/02/how-safe-are-kids-using-social-media-we-did-the-groundwork
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TechDesk (@TechDesk@flipboard.social)
It's Safer Internet Day! As countries debate social media bans, here's how to keep your teens safe online.
From @euronews: https://flip.it/j70pek
#Internet #SocialMedia #Tech #Technology #SaferInternetDay
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i47i (@i47i@hachyderm.io)
Fifteen arrested in Netherlands over Islamic State propaganda on TikTok; 4 are minors
> Dutch authorities arrested 15 people Tuesday for allegedly encouraging terrorist acts on TikTok and spreading propaganda for the Islamic State, police reports. The suspects, aged 16 to 53, were detained in multiple regions across the country. Four of the suspects are minors.
> The investigation began in August 2025, when the The Hague police unit identified a TikTok account sharing IS videos with Dutch subtitles. The content promoted joining the fight and glorified martyrdom. Some posts received more than 100,000 views. Other accounts interacted with the content, amplifying the reach of the propaganda.
> Police said the suspects are being investigated for incitement to commit terrorist offenses, distributing IS propaganda, and/or participating in a terrorist organization. Thirteen of the arrested individuals hold Syrian nationality, while four are Dutch citizens.
https://nltimes.nl/2026/02/10/fifteen-arrested-netherlands-islamic-state-propaganda-tiktok-4-minors #Netherlands #propaganda #ISIS #TikTok #SocialMedia #Netherlands
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Zentrum_polis (@Zentrum_polis@fedi.at)
Wort der Woche 7: Soziale Netzwerke
Der Safer Internet Day, der am 10. Februar stattfindet, ruft unter dem Motto „Together for a better internet“ Institutionen, Unternehmen und Privatpersonen weltweit dazu auf, sich mit Projekten und Aktionen für ein besseres und sicheres Miteinander im digitalen Raum einzusetzen. Im Mittelpunkt steht dabei die Unterstützung von Kindern und Jugendlichen beim sicheren Umgang mit digitalen Medien.
Neben den vielen Vorteilen, die soziale Netzwerke in unserem digitalen Alltag bieten, bergen sie auch die Gefahr der Verbreitung von Fake News und Cyber-Mobbing. Die Materialien und Hinweise unserer diesmaligen Linktipps helfen Kindern und Jugendlichen sowie Lehrkräften, diese Herausforderungen zu bewältigen.
https://www.politik-lexikon.at/soziale-netzwerke/
Linktipp Nr. 1: https://www.politik-lernen.at/pa_digitalerechte ''polis'' aktuell 2025/03: Ethische und menschenrechtliche Aspekte der Digitalisierung
Linktipp Nr. 2: https://www.politik-lernen.at/rechte-und-pflichten-13136 #dcey25 Dossier Rechte & Pflichten zu Hatespeech und Cybermobbing
#politiklexikon #wortderwoche #PolitischeBildung #PolitikEdu #FediLZ #socialmedia #cybermobbing #fakenews #SID2026AT
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safer-internet-day-half-of-parents-have-never-spoken-to-their-kids-about-harmful-content-as-calls-grow-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s (@safer-internet-day-half-of-parents-have-never-spoken-to-their-kids-about-harmful-content-as-calls-grow-to-ban-social-media-for-under-16s@swanseabaynews.com)
Safer Internet Day: Half of parents have NEVER spoken to their kids about harmful content as calls grow to ban social media for under‑16s
That’s the stark warning being issued on Safer Internet Day, as the Government and online safety experts urge parents to “wake up” to what their children are really seeing on their screens — and to start talking before the damage is done.
Ministers have launched a new campaign, You Won’t Know Until You Ask, after research revealed that while most parents think they understand the online world, a quarter admit they have no idea what their child is actually looking at.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said too many children are being left to face toxic content alone.
“Parents tell us they’re worried about what their children see online — and they’re right to be. Harmful content is reaching children younger and faster than ever before. We want to give parents the confidence to start these conversations, even when they feel awkward or difficult.”
She said the campaign is designed to help parents “cut through the noise” and give children the space to talk openly about what they’re seeing.
The Government’s new You Won’t Know Until You Ask campaign urges parents to talk openly with their children about what they’re seeing online.“This isn’t about spying on children,” she added. “It’s about helping them make sense of a world that can be overwhelming, confusing and sometimes dangerous.”
‘Parents don’t know what their kids are seeing’
The Government says the problem isn’t just what children search for — it’s what social media algorithms push at them. From body‑shaming and rage‑bait to misogynistic influencers and violent clips, harmful content can appear without warning.
The new guidance encourages parents to ask simple, open questions such as “How does this post make you feel?” or “Why do you think someone shared this?” — gentle prompts that help children think critically about what they’re scrolling through.
Officials say these conversations are crucial, because children are far more likely to speak up when something feels wrong if the door is already open.
Experts warn of hidden codes and secret slang
Online safety organisations say parents also need to be alert to the fast‑growing “hidden language” young people use to disguise what they’re talking about.
Safeguarding specialists warn that emojis and abbreviations are increasingly being used to hide bullying, drug references, sexual messages and extremist content — often in plain sight.
Dr Richard Anderson, from High Speed Training, said adults are often completely unaware of what these symbols really mean.
“What looks like a harmless emoji could actually be concealing racist remarks, drug‑related discussions, sexual propositions or cyber bullying. The double meanings give children plausible deniability, which makes it even harder for adults to spot danger early.”
What these emojis REALLY mean
Incel terms
🔴 / 💊 – Refers to the “red pill”, taken from The Matrix. To have “taken the red pill” means believing you’ve realised the “truth” about women and society, often linked to misogynistic ideology.
🔵 – The “blue pill”, meaning someone who is unaware of this so‑called “truth”.
⚫ – The “black pill”, an extreme, nihilistic belief that an incel’s lack of sexual success is predetermined and cannot be changed.
💥 / 🧨 – An “exploding red pill”, used to identify someone as an incel.
💯 – Linked to the “80/20 rule”, a belief that 80% of women are attracted to only 20% of men.
🫘 – Used to identify or self‑identify as an incel.
Potentially bullying or threatening emojis
❄ – Calling someone overly sensitive or easily offended (“snowflake”).
🧢 – Suggesting someone is lying (“cap”).
🐍 – Calling someone untrustworthy or a “back‑stabber”.
👊 or 🤕👉🤕 or 👊👉🚑 – Threats of physical violence.
👻 – Being “ghosted” — ignored or dumped without explanation.
💉 or 🤔🔫 or 💊🛀💀 or 🛤🚶💀 – Emojis that can signify self‑harm or suicidal ideation.
Drug references
🥦 / 🌳 / 🍁 / 💨 / 🎱 – Marijuana, cannabis or weed.
❄ / 🥥 / ⛄ / 🤧 / 🔑 – Cocaine.
🔌 – A drug dealer.
Sexual references
🔨 / 👉👌 / 👉🌭 / 👉🌮 – Sex or sexual activity.
🥵 / 🔥 – “Hot”, in a sexual sense.
🌶 / 😵 – Inappropriate or “spicy” content; seeing something X‑rated.
✂ – Lesbian.
🍑 / 🚚 – Buttocks.
🌮 / 🍉 / 🍯 / 🌷 / 🍩 – Female genitalia.
🍌 / 🍆 / 🌽 – Penis.
🍒 / 🐫 / 🍻 – Breasts.
🍒 – Virginity.
👅 / 👄 / 🧠 / 🍭 – Oral sex.
🍑 🍆 – Anal sex.
💦 / 🎤 – Orgasm or ejaculation.
🎤🙆♀️ – Female orgasm.
✊ 💦 / 👋 – Masturbation.
🍝 – “Nudes” — nude or semi‑nude photographs.
🌽 – Pornography.
Text abbreviations to watch for
Incel terms: AWALT (“all women are like that”), ER (Elliot Rodger; “doing an ER” refers to following his violent example), LDAR (“lay down and rot”).
Bullying/threats: 182 (“I hate you”), GTFO, IDGAF, KYS, STFU.
Self‑harm: KMS (“kill myself”).
Drugs: 420 (cannabis).
Sexual references: 53X (sex), 9/CD9/Code 9 (parents nearby), 99 (parents gone), ASL (age/sex/location), BJ, CU46, DPW, DTF, F2F, PRON (porn), S2R (“send to receive”), WYLL (“what do you look like?”).
Political pressure builds for an under‑16s social media ban
The warnings come as Westminster faces a major political fight over whether children should be allowed on social media at all.
Last month, the House of Lords voted 261 to 150 to support a ban on under‑16s using major platforms — a move backed by Conservative, Liberal Democrat and crossbench peers, as well as some Labour peers.
Supporters say teenage social media use has become a “societal catastrophe”, linking it to mental health problems, online radicalisation and classroom disruption. More than 60 Conservative MPs and a growing number of Labour MPs have publicly backed the idea, following similar moves in Australia.
But charities including the NSPCC warn a blanket ban could push children onto even more dangerous, unregulated sites. Labour has also said it won’t support the Lords’ amendment, calling the issue “extremely complex”.
The Government is now running a three‑month consultation looking at a possible ban, overnight curfews, tougher age checks and measures to curb “doom‑scrolling”.
What parents should do today
Ministers and safety experts say the most important step parents can take is simply to start talking — today, not tomorrow.
They say parents should explore apps with their children, stay calm and curious rather than confrontational, and make it normal for children to talk about things that upset or confuse them.
NSPCC: Six tips for healthier online habits
1. Make screen time meaningful
Talk about how your child uses their devices and help them balance online time with offline activities. Create screen‑free zones and use wellbeing tools on apps to encourage breaks.
2. Help them handle the negative
Explore safety settings together so they know how to mute, block or report harmful content. Encourage them to follow accounts that make them feel good and step away from anything that doesn’t.
3. Remind them that seeing isn’t believing
Talk about filters, edited images and the “highlight reel” nature of social media. Help them question what they see and how it makes them feel.
4. Let them learn from mistakes
If they slip up online, stay calm. Regular conversations build trust and help children bounce back from challenges.
5. Be the role model
Children copy what adults do. Show healthy habits by taking breaks, avoiding negative content and keeping your own online behaviour positive and open.
6. Keep the conversation going
Choose relaxed moments to talk about their online life. Give them space to think and speak without judgement so they feel safe coming to you.
Parents can find full guidance at kidsonlinesafety.campaign.gov.uk.
#emoji #emojiHiddenLanguage #LizKendallMP #parenting #SaferInternetDay #socialMedia #UKGovernment #under16SocialMediaBan
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ambiguous_yelp (@ambiguous_yelp@veganism.social)
I can only hope that with the cycle of people adopting FLOSS alternatives that those alternatives will reach some kind of threshold whereby it will become easier to join.
I have to imagine that at one point in the past moving from twitter to mastodon was considered almost pointless because there was hardly anyone posting here for example
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