Latest news with #digitalempowerment
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The online world comes with risks – but also friendships and independence for young people with disabilities
'In the real world, I'm a coward. When I'm online, I'm a hero.' These words, paraphrased from a conversation with a young man with autism, have stayed with us throughout the years of research that underpin our recently published book exploring the relationship between children with special educational needs and disabilities and digital technology. We're constantly bombarded with warnings about the potential dangers of digital technology, especially for children. But this quote captures something we might miss. The digital world can be a vital space of empowerment and connection. In our work, we've found that digital technology offers more than just access to learning for young people with special educational needs and disabilities. It opens doors to social lives, creative outlets and even employment opportunities that might be closed to them in the offline world. And yet, this potential is too often overshadowed by fears about the risks and harms they might encounter online. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. Adolescence, the Netflix drama that delves into the hidden dangers of growing up in a digital world, has taken up a lot of the national conversation around social media, cyberbullying and online exploitation. But there is another show on Netflix that has received far less attention. The Remarkable Life of Ibelin is a powerful documentary that tells the story of Mats Steen, a young Norwegian man with a severe disability who found freedom, friendship and purpose in the online world of gaming. Though physically limited by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Mats, known as 'Ibelin' in World of Warcraft, built a rich life online. After his passing at 25, his gaming friends revealed just how much he had meant to them. Some travelled to his funeral. The film challenges stereotypes about online gaming. It shows it as a source of connection, compassion, and real human bonds. We've spoken to many young people with special educational needs and disabilities who echo the same themes. Online spaces offer a sense of identity and capability they don't always feel offline. We found that the benefits of digital engagement for children with special educational needs and disabilities are extensive. It enhances communication: tools such as voice interfaces and text-to-speech software help those with speech or language difficulties express themselves confidently. Online platforms create spaces for friendships, especially for those who find face-to-face interaction challenging. Digital tools can also foster independence. Calendar apps can be useful for those with ADHD, or assistive technology for learners with dyslexia. And for education, tailored online content can bridge the gap between mainstream and specialist learning environments. But the digital world isn't an equal playing field. Children with special educational needs and disabilities face disproportionate levels of online harm, including grooming, cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content. Crucially, they often lack the tools or support to report harm or seek help. This, of course, raises concerns for the parents, carers and teachers of young people with special educational needs and disabilities. We've found that parents, carers and teachers we've spoken to often reach for a 'prohibition first' approach – feeling young people will be safer if they do not have the access to the internet and social media that a young person without their needs might enjoy. We've been asked questions such as 'What apps should I ban?' or 'How do I stop my child going on the dark web?' These questions reflect a risk-averse mindset that fails to appreciate the value of digital engagement. Risk cannot be eliminated, but it can be managed. And, more importantly, opportunity must be protected. Too often, safeguarding strategies are done to children, not with them. It's a good idea for parents and teachers of all children to talk to them about their digital life: what brings them joy, what worries them, where they feel confident or confused. Children are more likely to talk about fears or bad experiences if they feel believed, respected and understood. Make yourself a safe adult to talk to: one who listens without panic. While banning apps or limiting access might be useful in some cases, it should not be the starting point for safeguarding. It's worth considering whether there are skills that a child could learn that would allow them to use technology safely. What's more, online safety lessons are best when adapted to the communication style, cognitive ability and emotional maturity of an individual child. Visual aids, social stories, or interactive games may work better than text-heavy advice. Fear can limit what technology can offer the children who may need it most. For young people with special educational needs and disabilities, digital spaces are not simply entertainment, they are platforms for agency, creativity, relationships and voice. The role of adults here is to ensure these spaces are not only safe, but welcoming and empowering. That means moving past automatic restrictions and toward thoughtful, inclusive strategies that support children who might gain the most from using these technologies. We don't need more bans. We need more belief. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Al Bawaba
02-07-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Orange Jordan Sponsors ICIT 2025 to Advance Digital Innovation
Orange Jordan renewed its commitment to leading the digital future by participating as the telecom sponsor of the 12th International Conference on Information Technology (ICIT 2025), organized by Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan in collaboration with British Telecommunications (BT), the BT Innovation and Incubation Center (BTIIC), Ulster University, with technical sponsorship from the Global Community for Technology Professionals 'IEEE'.Bringing global minds under one roof, the conference served as a dynamic platform for leading researchers to exchange insights and explore the latest advancements and challenges across cybersecurity, AI and data science, emerging technologies, software engineering, mathematical modeling, and computer Jordan participated in a panel discussion titled 'Quantum AI: Redefining Intelligence in the Industrial Age,' which explored future developments in the field and discussed their anticipated impact on various vital Jordan emphasized that investing in the digital empowerment of youth is a central pillar of its strategy to build a sustainable digital economy. The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at positioning Jordan as a regional hub for technological innovation by equipping youth people with advanced digital skills that enable them to compete globally and lead digital transformation in the Jordan's vision extends beyond traditional telecom services, aiming to contribute to building an inclusive digital future where all segments of society can benefit from the opportunities presented by modern technology. It's worth noting that the Orange Digital Center offers a variety of initiatives designed to enhance youth capabilities in technology and entrepreneurship through specialized training programs, fully equipped innovation spaces, and support for startups. The company also continues to provide scholarships to outstanding students and organize innovation competitions to inspire creativity and enable Jordanian youth to sharpen their digital skills, the latest of which was the 'Ramadan Hackathon,' offering a stimulating platform for youth people to explore their potential and compete in a dynamic digital environment. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba ( Signal PressWire is the world's largest independent Middle East PR distribution service.
Zawya
01-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Orange Jordan sponsors ICIT 2025 to advance digital innovation
Orange Jordan renewed its commitment to leading the digital future by participating as the telecom sponsor of the 12th International Conference on Information Technology (ICIT 2025), organized by Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan in collaboration with British Telecommunications (BT), the BT Innovation and Incubation Center (BTIIC), Ulster University, with technical sponsorship from the Global Community for Technology Professionals 'IEEE'. Bringing global minds under one roof, the conference served as a dynamic platform for leading researchers to exchange insights and explore the latest advancements and challenges across cybersecurity, AI and data science, emerging technologies, software engineering, mathematical modeling, and computer engineering. Orange Jordan participated in a panel discussion titled 'Quantum AI: Redefining Intelligence in the Industrial Age,' which explored future developments in the field and discussed their anticipated impact on various vital sectors. Orange Jordan emphasized that investing in the digital empowerment of youth is a central pillar of its strategy to build a sustainable digital economy. The company reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national efforts aimed at positioning Jordan as a regional hub for technological innovation by equipping youth people with advanced digital skills that enable them to compete globally and lead digital transformation in the region. Orange Jordan's vision extends beyond traditional telecom services, aiming to contribute to building an inclusive digital future where all segments of society can benefit from the opportunities presented by modern technology. It's worth noting that the Orange Digital Center offers a variety of initiatives designed to enhance youth capabilities in technology and entrepreneurship through specialized training programs, fully equipped innovation spaces, and support for startups. The company also continues to provide scholarships to outstanding students and organize innovation competitions to inspire creativity and enable Jordanian youth to sharpen their digital skills, the latest of which was the 'Ramadan Hackathon,' offering a stimulating platform for youth people to explore their potential and compete in a dynamic digital environment. To learn more, please visit our website: About Orange Jordan Orange Jordan, with over 1800 employees across nearly 300 shops and locations throughout Jordan, strives to provide the best customer experience through an integrated set of digital solutions including fixed lines, mobile lines, internet, data, and Smart Life Solutions to around 4.6 million customers in Jordan. Orange Jordan is a subsidiary of Orange Global Group, which is present in 26 countries worldwide. In line with the Group's strategy 'Lead the Future' and through its positioning as a true responsible digital leader, Orange Jordan supports the national digital transformation vision. Orange Jordan prioritizes community service, and in this context, it implements a comprehensive CSR strategy that revolves around 4 pillars including digital education, digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, climate, and environment. In addition to serving individual customers, Orange Jordan offers tailored solutions for businesses through its sub-brand, (Orange Business). To learn more, please visit our website: About Orange Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 40.3 billion euros in 2024 and 127,000 employees worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 71,000 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of 291 million customers worldwide at 31 December 2024, including 253 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. These figures account for the deconsolidation of certain activities in Spain following the creation of MASORANGE. The Group is present in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries). Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality.
Al Bawaba
30-06-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Ooredoo is Dropping a Fibre Deal You Don't Want to Miss!
We are on a mission to empower customers across our global footprint to access and enjoy the best of the Internet in a way that is personal and unique to them. We continue to invest in our networks to ensure seamless connectivity that caters to our customers' growing digital needs. We are working as a real digital enabler across our markets and our aspiration is to help people simplify their lives and enjoy exciting and rewarding digital experiences.
Al Bawaba
23-06-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Saudi Summer? Ooredoo's Passport Bundles Keep You Plugged In
We are on a mission to empower customers across our global footprint to access and enjoy the best of the Internet in a way that is personal and unique to them. We continue to invest in our networks to ensure seamless connectivity that caters to our customers' growing digital needs. We are working as a real digital enabler across our markets and our aspiration is to help people simplify their lives and enjoy exciting and rewarding digital experiences.
