Digital Dominoes

Angeline Corvaglia

Welcome to Digital Dominoes: Understanding Tech Today, Shaping Tomorrow! This podcast is dedicated to creating a safer, more inclusive digital world for the next generation. The digital world is evolving rapidly, and the need for awareness and understanding is growing. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and the pace of technological advancements. We bring together diverse perspectives from across generations, countries, and backgrounds to tackle the pressing issues of AI, privacy, and online safety. Just like a line of dominoes, each piece of knowledge and each perspective is important. When we align these pieces correctly, we can create a powerful chain reaction that leads to positive change. This podcast aims to help listeners connect the dots and see the bigger picture. Our discussions are designed to be accessible and relatable, breaking down complex topics into understandable segments. Whether you’re a parent looking to protect your children online, a student curious about AI, or a senior wanting to stay informed, this podcast is here to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in the AI-powered digital age.

  1. When Refusal Means Exclusion

    6D AGO

    When Refusal Means Exclusion

    In this episode of The Quiet Cost, Angeline Corvaglia follows a parent struggling with a teacher’s requirement that students use WhatsApp, discovering Meta AI has no off switch and that chats with it aren’t end-to-end encrypted and can be used for ad personalization. The parent weighs data privacy and chatbot risks against the social and educational isolation her anxious 14-year-old might face if she refuses. She argues this reflects a broader structural problem: when platforms become functionally mandatory for school or work, consent becomes coerced “compliance,” and digital consent frameworks fail because refusal isn’t viable. Examples of school email and laptop “optional” programs show how opting out leaves children behind and excluded. She calls this “consent theater” and urges seamless, safe, privacy-first educational communication alternatives. 00:00 WhatsApp No Off Switch 01:46 Privacy Versus Belonging 02:46 When Consent Isn’t Real 03:19 My Own School Fight 04:46 Mandatory Adoption Trap 06:40 Regulations Assume Choice 07:09 Kids Pay the Price 07:58 Consent Theater Explained 09:53 She Thinks It’s Private 10:24 What Real Alternatives Need 1 2:35 Paperwork Isn’t Protection 13:35 Closing Thoughts Follow Angeline on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeline-corvaglia or find out more on her website: https://corvaglia.me/ Music: “Burough by Molerider” by Blue Dot Sessions, licensed under CC BY‑NC 4.0

    14 min
  2. Evidence of Safety vs. Actual Safety

    MAY 6

    Evidence of Safety vs. Actual Safety

    In this episode of The Quiet Cost, a series within the Digital Dominoes podcast, Angeline Corvaglia explores the “invisible gap” between evidence of safety and users’ actual safety on tech platforms, arguing that companies optimize for compliance metrics that show evidence that they are working toward user safety rather than making users actually safe. Using steps Instagram has taken against sextortion since 2024, she describes Meta’s responses: blurred nudity in DMs, warning prompts, teen DM restrictions, automatic nudity protection, suspicious-account limits, and sextortion reporting flows, while noting these measures often don’t stop coercion or manipulation. She extends the pattern to OpenAI’s 2026 autonomous agent safety framework failing to prevent unauthorized real-world actions, and to Google’s AI principles and YouTube policies that coexist with engagement-driven recommendation harms. She cites Meta’s oversight board and a Brazil case where disinformation reached 400,000 users in six hours, emphasizing the need for outcome metrics, community trust, longitudinal tracking, and regulation that demands measurable protection, not just documentation. 00:00 Safety Claims vs Reality 00:47 Instagram Sextortion Fixes 02:28 Why Features Fall Short 03:53 Safety Evidence Playbook 04:22 Autonomous Agents Risks 05:35 YouTube Radicalization Loop 06:39 Compliance Metrics Trap 06:59 Oversight Without Accountability 08:10 Safety Is User Experience 09:36 Real World Costs 10:57 Measuring Outcomes Is Hard 12:33 Way Forward and Conclusion Follow Angeline on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeline-corvaglia/ or check out her website: https://corvaglia.me/ Music: “Burough by Molerider” by Blue Dot Sessions, licensed under CC BY‑NC 4.0

    14 min
  3. Inner Joy Versus Hardship: Insights from Black Girls

    05/15/2025

    Inner Joy Versus Hardship: Insights from Black Girls

    In this thought-provoking and very timely episode of Digital Dominoes, Angeline has an inspiring conversation with Alexandria Onuoha, who recently completed her PhD dissertation on the meaning of joy among Black girls. Alexandria shares her research, which challenges the conventional deficit-based models of understanding Black children. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing joy as a core part of the human experience, even in the face of adversity. Her study involved 14 Black middle school girls capturing their interpretations of joy through photography, revealing insights into how joy is perceived as a constant source tied to spirituality and purpose. The episode extends into broader discussions on societal perceptions, youth development, and the role of digital spaces in shaping self-esteem and mental health. Alexandria underscores the need for creating joy spaces both offline and online to foster resilience against social and digital harms. Tune in to learn how joy can be a radical act of resistance and collective futures for Black girls and beyond. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:15 Alexandria's Dissertation on Joy 02:54 Methodology: Photo Voice Study 04:17 Key Findings on Joy 07:49 Digital Context and Black Girls 19:04 Intersectional Bias and Misogynoir 23:01 Lessons from Black Girls 27:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts More on the speakers: Alexandria Onuoha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandriaonuoha/Angeline Corvaglia https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeline-corvaglia/   Check out our sponsor, Data Girl and Friends: https://data-girl-and-friends.com/ #Joy #Resilience #YouthDevelopment #SocialJustice #DigitalWellness #IntersectionalBias #Empowerment #MentalHealth #JoySpaces learn how joy can be a radical act of resistance and collective futures for Black girls and beyond

    29 min
  4. Behind the AI Curtain: A US Data Labeler's Journey Since 2008

    05/08/2025

    Behind the AI Curtain: A US Data Labeler's Journey Since 2008

    In this eye-opening episode of Digital Dominoes, we dive into the world of data workers with Krista Pawloski, an activist with Turkopticon. She shares her fascinating journey as a data worker since 2008 with Amazon Mechanical Turk and sheds light on the stark realities and challenges faced by those in her profession. Krista discusses the nature of gig work, the financial instability, and the critical yet invisible role data workers play in shaping AI technologies. The conversation also touches on broader societal implications, from job offshoring to ethics in AI development. Join us to understand the hidden labor powering the digital age.   00:00 Introduction to Digital Dominoes 00:34 Guest Introduction - Krista Pawloski 01:12 Krista’s Background and Journey 05:23 The Nature of Data Work on Amazon Mechanical Turk 08:46 Financial Instability and Job Stress 12:11 The Role of Requesters and Job Complexity 16:07 Ethical and Humanitarian Concerns 22:30 Global Impact and Job Offshoring 27:54 AI Bias and Diversity in Data Labeling 31:45 Challenges in Activism and Seeking Change 36:12 Call to Action and Raising Public Awareness 38:05 Conclusion More on the speakers: Krista Pawloski: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-pawloski-aa1b3263/Angeline Corvaglia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeline-corvaglia/ Check out our sponsor, Data Girl and Friends: [https://data-girl-and-friends.com/] #DigitalDominoes #DataWorkers #AIDevelopment #AmazonMechanicalTurk #HotTopic #GigEconomy #AIbias #TechEthics #HiddenLabor #AIworkforce

    24 min
  5. The Grassroots Path to Ensuring Ethical AI

    05/01/2025

    The Grassroots Path to Ensuring Ethical AI

    In this episode of Digital Dominoes, Angeline engages H. Mustafa Akyol in a thoughtful discussion on the importance of responsible AI. Mustafa delves into the philosophical foundations of ethics in AI, tracing concepts from Aristotle to modern technological advancements. He highlights the limitations of regulatory approaches due to complexity, weak enforcement, and rollback issues, suggesting that regulations alone cannot ensure ethical AI. Instead, Mustafa advocates for grassroots consumer demand as a more effective strategy. He argues that if public awareness and education foster consumer demand for ethical AI, companies will view ethical practices as a competitive advantage rather than a regulatory burden. This shift could encourage corporations to proactively adopt responsible AI practices, leading to globally unified standards. The episode emphasizes the power of collective will in shaping the future of AI ethics. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:33 Exploring Responsible AI 01:37 Philosophical Foundations of AI Ethics 03:23 AI's Impact on Human Uniqueness 06:21 Challenges in AI Regulation 07:53 Public Awareness and Consumer Demand 13:38 Global Collaboration for Ethical AI 15:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts  Special thanks to H. Mustafa Akyol for taking time to be a part of this episode! Follow Mustafa on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/h-mustafa-akyol-582b382a8/ You can also check out Angeline Corvaglia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeline-corvaglia/ Episode sponsored by Data Girl and Friends They are on a mission to build awareness and foster critical thinking about AI, online safety, privacy, and digital citizenship. They inspire the next generation to navigate the digital world confidently and responsibly through fun, engaging, and informative content. They focus on empowering young digital citizens and their families through engaging and informative learning. Find out more at: https://data-girl-and-friends.com/

    18 min

About

Welcome to Digital Dominoes: Understanding Tech Today, Shaping Tomorrow! This podcast is dedicated to creating a safer, more inclusive digital world for the next generation. The digital world is evolving rapidly, and the need for awareness and understanding is growing. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information and the pace of technological advancements. We bring together diverse perspectives from across generations, countries, and backgrounds to tackle the pressing issues of AI, privacy, and online safety. Just like a line of dominoes, each piece of knowledge and each perspective is important. When we align these pieces correctly, we can create a powerful chain reaction that leads to positive change. This podcast aims to help listeners connect the dots and see the bigger picture. Our discussions are designed to be accessible and relatable, breaking down complex topics into understandable segments. Whether you’re a parent looking to protect your children online, a student curious about AI, or a senior wanting to stay informed, this podcast is here to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to thrive in the AI-powered digital age.