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Should parents be warned following the MOMO Challenge hoax?

After the news of an alleged character convincing children to commit suicide turned out to be a hoax, could this be learning curve for parents?

After the news of an alleged character convincing children to commit suicide turned out to be a hoax, could this be learning curve for parents?

Dr Amy Binns, 46, a journalism lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire, has studied the safety of the internet.

She became interested in internet safety after she went from a full-time to a part-time journalist, and seeing how much online hate journalists were getting.

She discussed the idea that it should be the responsibility of the parents, as well as the social media platforms, to keep our children safe from internet dangers.

Dr Binns said: “Parents have got a real up struggle on their hands and often they don’t really know what their kids are doing. 

“So I think though it is a hoax, it is not a bad thing for us to get regular wake up calls.”

She said that for a platform, it is difficult to decide how to protect children, but that there is more to be done than just  having an age restriction that can easily be faked.

Although the  MOMO Challenge has been identified as a hoax, it has shown how ‘fake news’ can be easily believed.

Dr Binns said: “I think the words platforms need to take ownership of that fact that is something that they do not want to do as it requires them to make a judgement but, actually, they need to start making these judgements and deciding what is good for the world.” 

YouTube Kids has been one way to protect children,by managing content that is safe for children to watch. 

Dr Binns has said that the idea provides a “walled-guard of content” which she wished “had been around five years ago.”

A Lancashire Constabulary spokesperson has said: “It’s really important for parents to talk with their children about these apps and games and the potential risks they can be exposed to. 

“Further advice on staying safe online is available on our website https://www.lancashire.police.uk/help-advice/online-safety/and the NSPCC publishes advice and guidance for parents on discussing online safety with their children.”

End of article

Opinion: Bashing on creativity makes the world bland

Tattoos, drawings, painting, hair colours, piercings and everything else individual or creative seems to bring out the worst from the most bland people.

An expression of oneself should be celebrated but so many people hide behind the curtains of shame because they don’t know how to show who they truely are, as they fear public opinion.

Living in a black and white world, where everything ‘out of the ordinary’ is frowned upon, limits the individual of expression.

This judgemental society needs to pick itself up and realise that no one person is the same.

We all different interests, we all have different hobbies, we all look different, even those who were born ‘identical’.

I choose to present myself with tattoos on my legs, piercings and ever changing hair colours.

I don’t think that I deserve to be demonised for being me or have my opportunities limited because I don’t look or feel ‘ideal’ to somebody’s standard.

Nobody should fear to show who they are because they might face backlash.

We need to encourage, not discourage.

More images on @san_mar_row on Instagram

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Preston Barista discusses his venture into musical performance

A co-owner of a small independent coffee shop in the heart of Preston city centre about his musical interests.

Luke James Gardener, 26, from Preston, works at Jonah’s, a small independent coffee shop which he co-owns with his brother, who named the shop after himself.

When asked about the most interesting moment in his life, he discussed how he once performed in front of a large crowd.

He said: “I did actually play guitar at the Guildhall (in Preston), in front of a few thousand people.”

He was very proud of having the opportunity to play to so many people.

He said: “It was a pretty poignant moment in my life.”

  • Luke James Gardner
    Barista/Musician

He took this performance as an opportunity to realise what he wanted to do with his life and be able to plan around it.

He said: “It was one of the the things that birthed and I knew what I wanted to do with my life with music.”

Everyone has their ups and downs but Luke said that even everyday obstacles can be beaten if you try and keep on going.

He said: “Everyday there are obstacles, everyday,

“I get to the shop and it’s an obstacle.

He added:“I want to put my energy into something that grows, but there are obstacles that come with that everyday.”

As he works for a small family business, he spoke about the ability to work with family and overcoming struggles that may occur.

He sees every moment as a way in which he can learn to grow and be a better human being.

He said:“I guess, just being brothers, there can always be tensions but obviously, you learn lessons that are valuable to you that you can implement.”

He closed by saying: “You can help envision what you want to manifest and realise that what you need is energy and focus and direction to help make it manifest.”

ENDS

California’s death penalty on hold

The Governor of California has officially ordered a moratorium (hold) on all executions in the state.

Gov. Gavin Newsom held a conference where he addressed an executive order to stop future execution dates from being set during his time as Governor.

California will now be part of four states- Oregon, Colorado and Pennsylvania- who have moratoriums in place.

Gov. Newsom had also placed an executive order to end the lethal injection protocol and to close the death chamber in San Quentin.

There are currently 737 inmates on death row in California, the most in the entire U.S.

Pennsylvania has the second biggest death row, followed by Florida and then Texas, which has the most active death chamber.

If the Governor would have not filed the executive order, he could have given 25 death row inmates, who exhausted all appeals, their execution dates.

However, the Governor does not believe in the death penalty and has said that he will not allow anyone to be killed while he is in office.

Death row inmates have not had their sentences reduced as of yet.

Male death row inmates are held at the San Quentin prison, whereas female death row inmates are held at the Chowchilla Prison.

Nobody has been executed by the state of California since 2006.