Casting the Net - Webwise Webwise

Every time we go online, we're giving away information about ourselves.

But just how much data are companies collecting from us and what rights do we have in relation to our personal data? 

An important protection for all of us is GDPR which came into effect in 2018 and is designed to protect personal data linked to individuals. 

In this episode Webwise Youth Panelist Alannah is joined by Jennifer Dolan, Assistant Commissioner (Head of Children's Data Protection Policy) in the Data Protection Commission. 

The Data Protection Commission is the Irish supervisory authority for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

There have been big steps forward in AI over the past decade.

From online shopping to streaming platform, or using the apps on our phones – AI is already changing how we live, learn, and work.

One of the AI developments that has attracted a lot of attention since it came on the scene late last year is ChatGPT. 

With people excited about the possibilities that it may provide, but also sparking a lot of ethical concerns too.To find out more, Webwise Youth Panellist Emma spoke to Science and Technology journalist Elaine Burke.

Elaine is host of the For Tech’s Sake podcast, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network.

In part 2, Emma talks to Elaine about exciting developments in AI generally, and steps to regulate it.

There have been big steps forward in AI over the past decade.

From online shopping to streaming platform, or using the apps on our phones – AI is already changing how we live, learn, and work.

One of the AI developments that has attracted a lot of attention since it came on the scene late last year is ChatGPT. 

With people excited about the possibilities that it may provide, but also sparking a lot of ethical concerns too.To find out more, Webwise Youth Panellist Emma spoke to Science and Technology journalist Elaine Burke.

Elaine is host of the For Tech’s Sake podcast, a co-production from Silicon Republic and The HeadStuff Podcast Network.

In part 1, Emma chats to Elaine about how ChatGPT generates content, the benefits it can provide, its limitations, and challenges that it presents.

The rapid expansion of the Internet within society has led to marked changes in the way individuals communicate, think and live their lives. Traditionally we got our news from trusted sources, journalists and media outlets that are required to follow strict codes of practice. However, the internet has enabled a whole new way to publish, share and consume information and news with very little regulation or editorial standards. This has led to rapid spreading of mis/disinformation, amplification of extremist/radical views and conspiracy theories. 



Recent events here in Ireland indicate a rise in far right radicalisation that plays on local concerns and national issues. We have seen far right activists weaponize social media platforms to incite fear, anger and increasingly racist commentary.



While, the popularity of online personalities, who promote controversial ideologies, misogyny and extreme agendas has caused concerns about the influence they have on their followers.



So, is online extremism growing in Ireland, and what is its influence?



Webwise Youth Panelist, Eoin, speaks to Ciarán O'Connor, Senior Analyst at the London-based Institute for Strategic Dialogue, an organisation that researches disinformation, extremism and hate online.

From connecting with our friends, to listening to music, gaming, shopping, watching videos, or doing homework – a lot of our time is spent online.

Sometimes, the amount of time we spend online can even cause conflict!

We know that there are pros and cons to being online, and that includes what we are doing online, and for how long.

Research from Trinity College Dublin shows that striking the right balance in the amount of time spent online could be good for teenagers’ wellbeing.

In Part 1, Billie from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel, spoke to Richard Layte, co-author of the study, about the background to the research and the key findings. In Part 2, they talk about whether there is a 'magic number' for the right amount of time to spend online, and what needs to be done to build on the research.

From connecting with our friends, to listening to music, gaming, shopping, watching videos, or doing homework – a lot of our time is spent online.

Sometimes, the amount of time we spend online can even cause conflict!

We know that there are pros and cons to being online, and that includes what we are doing online, and for how long.

Research from Trinity College Dublin shows that striking the right balance in the amount of time spent online could be good for teenagers’ wellbeing.

In Part 1, Billie from the Webwise Youth Advisory Panel, speaks to Richard Layte, co-author of the study, about the background to the research, it's key findings, and what how time spent online can have a positive, and negative, affect on our wellbeing!