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Making the Internet a safer world for children

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Making the Internet a safer world for children

Three women in Havana check their mobile phones after internet access was restored in Cuba. — © AFP

This month (June 2022) is marked as Internet Safety Month, by those in the technology arena and policy makers (at least in the U.S.) The event stands to remind adults and organizations to protect minors online.

This is important since children may not always be able to protect themselves from predators or ensure their digital identity is secure, thus it’s critical that businesses do their part to safeguard them from the dangers of the online world.

Looking at some of the key messages for this year’s Internet Safety Month for Digital Journal is Miles Hutchinson, CISO of Jumio.

Hutchinson begins by setting out the key issues to observe when it comes to online safety, noting: “In a day and age when everyone is spending more and more of their daily lives on the Internet, it’s critical to recognize the risks hiding within the online world, particularly as they pertain to younger generations.”

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While some measures have been taken by technology firms, these are insufficient. As Hutchinson spells out: “There have certainly been advancements in age verification, with many online organizations now requesting users to confirm their age before accessing adult-restricted websites.”

To a degree, a sizable proportion of the population take something from this. Hutchinson notes: “In fact, 36 percent of consumers have confidence that sites that serve age-restricted services and content are taking age verification seriously to protect minors from harm. However, these measures are not enough, as anyone can state they are above the required age and access content they aren’t supposed to.”

There are other concerns as well. Hutchinson highlights these as: “Furthermore, the misuse of children’s data online has led to an increasing cause for concern.”

As an example, Hutchinson says: “Most recently, an international investigation discovered that remote learning apps were sharing children’s data with data brokers and advertisers, despite laws in place, such as the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). This emphasizes that once data is shared online, there is no telling what organizations can do with it.”

This makes the current month important, for issuing reminders and helping to drive protective technology. According to Hutchinson: “Internet Safety Month is an important reminder for Internet users to use caution when sharing their data online, not only because they believe that party might abuse it, but also the likelihood of that party losing it through a data breach.” Furthermore, says Hutchinson: “Its critical users understand that once they consent to data sharing, it will always be out there and could be accessed in ways they didn’t initially intend. Online organizations can also do their part by evolving their age verification measures to include biometric authentication (leveraging a person’s unique human traits to verify identity), which can confirm a user is truly the age they claim to be.”

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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