The UK's new Online Safety Act - The main result so far? A huge spike in VPN usage. Who didn't see that coming.

If some good comes from it, then many more people using a VPN isn't the worst result. Of course, also problematic if they end up on dodgy non privacy respecting VPN services. Choose wisely I guess.

#OnlineSafetyAct #Privacy #DigitalRights #InternetSafety #ohDear

https://www.techdirt.com/2025/08/04/didnt-take-long-to-reveal-the-uks-online-safety-act-is-exactly-the-privacy-crushing-failure-everyone-warned-about/

https://www.europesays.com/uk/222557/ Gen Z kids appalled by lack of internet safety of Millennial teens ##Parenting #AgeSexLocation #AolChatroom #AolChatroomEra #AolChatrooms #asl #DialupConnection #EarlyInternet #ElderMillennials #electronics #GenZ #GenZKids #Internet #InternetSafety #microgeneration #OregonTrail #OregonTrailGeneration #Technology #UK #UnitedKingdom #UnsolvedMysteries #VPN #xennials

https://www.europesays.com/us/23000/ Gen Z kids appalled by lack of internet safety of Millennial teens #AgeSexLocation #AolChatroom #AolChatroomEra #AolChatrooms #asl #DialupConnection #EarlyInternet #ElderMillennials #electronics #GenZ #GenZKids #Internet #InternetSafety #microgeneration #OregonTrail #OregonTrailGeneration #parenting #Technology #UnitedStates #UnitedStates #UnsolvedMysteries #US #vpn #xennials

Internet users advised to change passwords after 16bn logins exposed https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jun/21/internet-users-advised-to-change-passwords-after-16bn-logins-exposed #Internetsafety #Cybercrime #Technology #Worldnews #Internet #Hacking

https://www.europesays.com/uk/200237/ East Texas children’s advocacy center encourages education on internet habits #Internet #InternetSafety #Technology #UK #UnitedKingdom

DuckDuckGo’s Scam Blocker now protects against fake crypto sites, scareware, phishing, and malware—without tracking your data .

It’s built into their browser with regular updates from independent firm Netcraft .

Privacy Pro subscribers get full-device protection via VPN .

@duckduckgo

https://spreadprivacy.com/scam-blocker/

UK campaigners raise alarm over report of Meta plan to use AI for risk checks https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jun/08/campainers-urge-uk-watchdog-to-limit-use-of-ai-after-report-of-meta-plan-to-automate-checks #Artificialintelligence(AI) #Internetsafety #Socialmedia #Technology #Instagram #Facebook #WhatsApp #UKnews #Ofcom #Meta

My sister was found dead. Then I discovered her search history – and the online world that had gripped her https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/may/28/my-sister-was-found-dead-then-i-discovered-her-search-history-and-the-online-world-that-had-gripped-her #Internetsafety #DigitalBritain #Mentalhealth #Digitalmedia #Socialmedia #Technology #Society #Health #Books

I'm excited to redesign our landing page with a focus on our gorgeous and diverse cast - but will it actually achieve the aims of the OSA when all small studios like mine do so? #nocensorship #internetsafety

Does anyone have a good printable document for spotting email & web scams? My dad just got into another one. I’ve been through checking email addresses and URLs with him, but that doesn’t seem to stick. This time it was a Norton “refund” #scam and they almost got his bank account info.

I was thinking a checklist we could print out near his computer would be useful. So he’d have a list to review when thinking about whether to click or not. Anyone seen anything like that?

Boosts welcomed
#InternetSafety

Check out my latest newsletter “Media Literacy RoundUp - 30 Dec 2024”
https://open.substack.com/pub/wfryer/p/media-literacy-roundup-30-dec-2024

Please read and share my latest blog post, “Facebook Friend Safety Tips”
https://www.speedofcreativity.org/2024/12/01/facebook-friend-safety-tips/

Internet safety is important. No one should become a victim of identity theft. Pass it on.

Newsom signs California bill to limit ‘addictive’ social media feeds for kids (23 Sep 2024)
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-09-20/newsom-to-sign-california-bill-to-limit-addictive-social-media-feeds-for-kids