Cybertraps Podcast

Update from Ghana - #2023–03–13_1100 Meeting with the Cybercrime Unit of the Ghana Police Service - #2023–03–14_1200 Visit to 5/6 classroom at Primus Hybrid School - #2023–03–19_1400 Pan-Africa webinar for parents - How can parents and carers monitor their children’s online activity without infringing on their privacy? - What are the long-term effects of excessive technology use on children’s mental and physical health? - How can parents and carers stay informed about new technology trends and potential risks? - What should parents and carers do if they suspect their child is being cyberbullied or harassed online? - How can parents and carers effectively communicate with their children about technology use without creating conflict or tension? - How can parents and carers address their own technology use and set a good example for their children? - What is the role of peer pressure and social media in shaping children’s online behavior, and how can parents and carers help children navigate these pressures? - How can technology be used to enhance learning and development for children, and what are some best practices for incorporating technology into education? - How can parents and carers help children build healthy relationships with their devices and encourage offline activities and hobbies? - What is the role of technology companies and platforms in promoting safe and responsible technology use, and how can parents and carers hold them accountable? - The Growing Problem of Deepfakes - News Item: New York students create a deepfake video of middle school principal saying racist things “https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/03/14/racist-deepfakes-carmel-tiktok/” - Details - Target of the malicious attack was George Fischer Middle School - In late January or early February, multiple videos were released on Tiktok, with a male voice laid over videos of Principal John Piscitella - The voiceovers contained racist statements and threats of violence - TikTok quickly took the videos down but not before they were seen by multiple students - Carmel Central School District sent out a letter on February 13, 2023, alerting parents to the videos and saying “that three high-schoolers had “used artificial intelligence to impersonate the staff” and made them appear to make “inappropriate comments” in videos.” - The school did not describe the videos, nor did it specifically mention the racist comments or threats of violence - Simultaneous, local police closed their investigation after determining that no crime had been committed - The District defended its response to angry parents, saying that “they were trying to balance disclosing sensitive information without generating panic” - But parents accused the District of minimizing the videos - The videos raise many issues, most controversial: - Racism - Student Privacy - The Use and Abuse of Technology (particularly AI) - Threats of Gun Violence - Disciplinary action was taken against three students but District refused to say what action was taken - Analysis - Schools need to be more transparent about the nature of incidents like these - We may need to consider the cost of student privacy - These were relatively crude deepfake videos; the technology exists now to make much more convincing videos - Additional Resources - #2023–03–09 Principal appears to spew racist threats in disturbing video — but it never actually happened “https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/principal-appears-to-spew-racist-threats-in-disturbing-video-%E2%80%94-but-it-never-actually-happened/ar-AA18qImu” - #2023–03–08 High Schoolers Made a Racist Deepfake of a Principal Threatening Black Students “https://www.vice.com/en/article/7kxzk9/school-principal-deepfake-racist-video” - #2023–03–02 TikTok videos threatening Black students have Carmel parents on edge, district promising change “https://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2023/03/02/racist-tiktok-videos-threaten-black-kids-in-carmel-ny-worry-parents/69941181007/” - Fred’s presentation at ASTE about Chatbots

Show Notes

  • Update from Ghana

- #2023–03–13_1100 Meeting with the Cybercrime Unit of the Ghana Police Service - #2023–03–14_1200 Visit to 5/6 classroom at Primus Hybrid School - #2023–03–19_1400 Pan-Africa webinar for parents - How can parents and carers monitor their children’s online activity without infringing on their privacy? - What are the long-term effects of excessive technology use on children’s mental and physical health? - How can parents and carers stay informed about new technology trends and potential risks? - What should parents and carers do if they suspect their child is being cyberbullied or harassed online? - How can parents and carers effectively communicate with their children about technology use without creating conflict or tension? - How can parents and carers address their own technology use and set a good example for their children? - What is the role of peer pressure and social media in shaping children’s online behavior, and how can parents and carers help children navigate these pressures? - How can technology be used to enhance learning and development for children, and what are some best practices for incorporating technology into education? - How can parents and carers help children build healthy relationships with their devices and encourage offline activities and hobbies? - What is the role of technology companies and platforms in promoting safe and responsible technology use, and how can parents and carers hold them accountable? - The Growing Problem of Deepfakes - News Item: New York students create a deepfake video of middle school principal saying racist things “https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/03/14/racist-deepfakes-carmel-tiktok/” - Details - Target of the malicious attack was George Fischer Middle School - In late January or early February, multiple videos were released on Tiktok, with a male voice laid over videos of Principal John Piscitella - The voiceovers contained racist statements and threats of violence - TikTok quickly took the videos down but not before they were seen by multiple students - Carmel Central School District sent out a letter on February 13, 2023, alerting parents to the videos and saying “that three high-schoolers had “used artificial intelligence to impersonate the staff” and made them appear to make “inappropriate comments” in videos.” - The school did not describe the videos, nor did it specifically mention the racist comments or threats of violence - Simultaneous, local police closed their investigation after determining that no crime had been committed - The District defended its response to angry parents, saying that “they were trying to balance disclosing sensitive information without generating panic” - But parents accused the District of minimizing the videos - The videos raise many issues, most controversial: - Racism - Student Privacy - The Use and Abuse of Technology (particularly AI) - Threats of Gun Violence - Disciplinary action was taken against three students but District refused to say what action was taken - Analysis - Schools need to be more transparent about the nature of incidents like these - We may need to consider the cost of student privacy - These were relatively crude deepfake videos; the technology exists now to make much more convincing videos - Additional Resources - #2023–03–09 Principal appears to spew racist threats in disturbing video — but it never actually happened “https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/principal-appears-to-spew-racist-threats-in-disturbing-video-%E2%80%94-but-it-never-actually-happened/ar-AA18qImu” - #2023–03–08 High Schoolers Made a Racist Deepfake of a Principal Threatening Black Students “https://www.vice.com/en/article/7kxzk9/school-principal-deepfake-racist-video” - #2023–03–02 TikTok videos threatening Black students have Carmel parents on edge, district promising change “https://www.lohud.com/story/news/education/2023/03/02/racist-tiktok-videos-threaten-black-kids-in-carmel-ny-worry-parents/69941181007/” - Fred’s presentation at ASTE about Chatbots


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What is Cybertraps Podcast?

We explore the risks arising from the use and misuse of digital devices and electronic communication tools. We interview experts in the fields of cybersafety, cybersecurity, privacy, parenting, and technology and share the wisdom of these experts with you!