But What About the Kids? - with Sean Lyons

Selfie Reflective

Sean Lyons is the Director of Engagement and Education at Netsafe, New Zealand ~

If you’re a New Zealander, you’ve likely heard of a company called Netsafe. Netsafe was founded way back in 1998, when a group of people who worked with young people decided that technology was going to be brilliantly enlightening for everyone - but that it also came with a whole different set of different risks and challenges. This group of people saw that the use of tech was going to require a separate set of eyes and some different thinking around how it was used and managed, especially in terms of how the use of this tech would evolve for young people in schools and in the home. Fast forward to 2020, and today Netsafe still spends time working with young people and parents to ensure that the technological tools they have in their hands are will get them to where they want to go in a way that doesn’t lead to them experiencing unnecessary harm or ending up out of their depth in terms of what they can manage.

But Netsafe isn’t just for young people - Netsafe is here to help everyone. They run a free confidential helpline, which doesn’t even require a name in many instances. It’s Netsafe’s belief that we shouldn’t have to put up with feeling harmed online, just like we shouldn’t have to put up with feeling harmed while walking down the street. If you or a person you know is facing a challenge that needs extra support or practical help - Netsafe is the place to call.

On today’s episode, we’re speaking with Sean Lyons, the director of Education and Engagement at Netsafe. He’s been there just short of 14 years, and Sean focuses on ensuring that all NZ internet users are able to confidently and capably access technology without suffering the harms that could potentially go with that - and, as you might imagine, lots of his work involves working with young people.

Today Sean talks about the experiences young people are having online, the challenges they are facing and the ways adults can support them through this internet age. Sean also gives us an overview of what’s called the Harmful Digital Communications Act, which offers protection and recourse for those who do experience harm online.

This episode is a great resource for teachers, parents or anyone who is concerned about the next generation in reference to our accelerating technological world.

Shownotes:

Learn more about Netsafe and their work by visiting their website.

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