location information, device identifiers, metadata, advertising profiles, and information collected by apps Could somebody discover it when they applied for university? Could an employer find it? What appears later may not be the original information at all. Apps and platforms may collect information about their activities, interests, devices, and behaviours That is neither realistic nor, in our opinion, a healthy approach to digital literacy education.

modern variation of the “Pepe the Frog” meme which has been co-opted by this group. (1)  Members, who appears The Groyper movement also gather on message boards, alternative social apps, and in private Discord or When a teen is told that “everything is rigged,” it can be appealing to join a group that offers clear Encourage secrecy and isolation when young people seek approval from online peers instead of family Approval Another approach is to ask about who they interact with online and what they enjoy.

Adults often approach technology through the lens of risk, while young people approach it through the This difference becomes even more apparent when we consider the idea of being “online.” Which apps are safe? How much screen time is healthy? As adolescence approaches, however, the goal gradually changes. The same principle applies in the digital world.

We understand why this can be appealing. For many families, saying no to a smartphone, social media account, messaging app, or online platform these realities, it is understandable why some parents and caregivers may welcome legislation that appears Age appropriate limits can help children build frustration tolerance, patience, resilience, emotional It is understandable that many would welcome a law that appears to make difficult decisions easier.

We have also received unsolicited messages ourselves here at The White Hatter that appeared to be automated A fitness creator may receive an apparent sponsorship opportunity. especially true when payment is requested through cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps Being approached by advertisers and marketers. critical thinking we would apply to any other unsolicited business proposition.

This subtle approach lowers a young person’s defenses, making them more receptive to radical ideas - offers some great resources specific to this modality of radicalization (15) Private groups and chat apps This approach opens the door for meaningful dialogue and helps you understand their perspective. That same system applies to other topics, including politics or world events.” rkowert.com/extremism-and-radicalization-in-digital-games/ 16/ https://thewhitehatter.ca/blog/the-messaging-apps-telegram-and-signal-what-parents-caregivers-need-to-know

analysis reveals small or no associations between social media app-specific usage and adolescent well-being social media use on teen well-being.(50) The study analyzed user-donated screenshots to examine how app The apps studied were WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat, and game apps. Overall, there were few significant relationships between app usage and well-being, aligning with past This mentality is not limited to medicine - it applies to many areas of life, including our approach

in-person relationships, they are developing, expressing, and negotiating boundaries through screens, apps For many teens today, the idea that consent is a one-time event, a simple “yes” that applies indefinitely This creates a paradox, meaning that what may appear to adults as voluntary behaviour may, in fact, be performance-driven content to the top of feeds, reinforcing a narrow standard of what gains attention and approval

may no longer be appropriate for what is actually happening. It can be appealing to believe that if we simply ban a platform, prohibit a device, establish another When one technological safeguard appears, some will find a workaround. The same principle applies inside the home. Trying to prepare children for every individual app, platform, device, or AI system is therefore an impossible

Apps like Zoom, FaceTime, and Discord provide users with real-time face-to-face interaction, helping This approach enables more personalized and tailored communication, fostering stronger connections over express themselves, forming a sophisticated “digital body language” that many adults may not fully appreciate

(4) design product descriptions optimized to rank higher in AI searches structure pricing models to appear As these tools become more integrated into everyday apps, games, and social platforms, youth will naturally

educators with a deeper understanding of these troubling behaviors that we have witnessed, how they appear Encourage your children to think critically about the apps and content they engage with. Here are some approaches we suggest: Encourage teen girls to set personal boundaries, understand informed This multi-faceted approach can equip them to face these issues with resilience, self-respect, and a In Canada, we're too are also approaching a federal election in 2025, making this especially relevant