Podcasts
Tech and social media get ticked-off by authorities worldwide, never mind dead-butt syndrome
Oct 2, 2024 Episode 185
Tech special – limitations and outright bans on social media and tech – all over the world – never mind the effects of dead-butt-syndrome!
Episode Transcript
EPISODE- 185
LEELA: This week… restrictions, limitations and outright bans on social media – ALL OVER the world and ever heard of dead-butt-syndrome? Stay tuned and you will!
OPENING STING – LEELA: “Hey, hey, hey. Listen up. New, new, newsy – Newsy Pooloozi!”
THEME MUSIC
LEELA: Hello and welcome to Newsy Pooloozi – the news pool for curious kids and adults!
MAMA: This is your one-stop shop for the most interesting and important news happening around the world.
LEELA: I’m Leela Sivasankar Prickitt. And…
MAMA: I’m Lyndee Prickitt.
LEELA: This week – wow – what a LOT of news is happening these days in the tech and social media space.
New studies seem to be coming out all the time telling us what our parents have been saying – all the time – that well, too much of a good thing – phones, laptops and devices, social media, gaming – sigh, it’s NOT good for us.
And so, unsurprisingly, new limitations, restrictions and out-right bans are being put in place from Australia to American – north and south. And this doesn’t just affect kids, either, oh no.
And, back to tech excess – ever heard of a thing called dead butt syndrome? Oh, yeah, you heard me right. It’s totally a thing. And, yes, you gotta listen to the end – the REAR-END – to find out more.
Ok then, let’s dive on in. First up, it’s…
BIG NEWS STORY STING – VARIOUS VOICES: “The big news story of the week!”
MAMA: OK, y’all, this week’s big story is going to be on a topic that I think most kids
LEELA: And adults! The “controllers.”
MAMA: And adults, will be able to relate to.
LEELA: Though in different ways.
MAMA: You got that right! It’s more like something adults are trying to help monitor or keep an eye on for kids… something we’re trying to help kids ease into.
LEELA: Or do you mean, it’s something that adults are trying to prevent kids from doing? Something that adults are trying to hide, ban or outright stop us from using?!?!
MAMA: Well… Both, I suppose.
LEELA: Yep, we´re talking about tech and social media. Which includes a lot of things, actually…
MAMA: Yes, social media tends to be apps or platforms that people use to communicate… to be, well, “social” with each other online. And you´re right, it can include a LOT of things… like, Facebook
LEELA: Facebook? Ok, boomer.
MAMA: Uhhh! I’m NOT a boomer! Gen X, please. And, yes, cool like that. But, OK, Facebook for the Grands, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest for the Gen X…
LEELA: Annnnddd Snapchat, YouTube, or TikTok for us young folks. Although, I gotta say, watching videos on YouTube and TikTok doesn’t really feel like a social media thing. More like… just entertainment.
MAMA: And yet… it IS still considered social media because lots of people DO in fact use it to communicate. Same with games. They use them to communicate to the world things LOADS about themselves, sometimes very private things!
LEELA: I guess when you explain it like that… and I know sometimes people use it to sell stuff. That’s a form of communication too, right?
MAMA: It is! And some others use social media and tech to explain ideas or theories. Even ideas that may be harmful and untrue. So, yeah, I’d say video platforms like TikTok and YouTube are social media, alright.
LEELA: And now we’re diving into whether social media is good for us kids or not. And just looking at some of the recent headlines, I’d guess, it’s nottttt????
MAMA: Ha! Well, as with most things, it’s complicated. A few days ago, the European arm of the World Health Organization
LEELA: Aka… the W-H-O.
MAMA: Who? (nervous laugh) Hahaha. Sorry. Ahem. Yes, the European arm of the WHO released a study that says the number of kids with quote-unquote “problematic” engagement with social media has gone up from 7 percent in the year 2018 to 11 percent in 2022.
LEELA: Problematic engagement? What does that even mean? Like you become addicted to social media?
MAMA: Precisely! When you have “problematic” engagement with social media it means for example, you stop doing other important things in your life…
LEELA: Ohhh, you don’t mean like your homework or chores?
MAMA: Like your homework and chores or even things you love like basketball, swimming, painting or piano – or just hanging out with friends, hello! But instead spend most of your time online.
LEELA: Hanging out with friends. Online.
MAMA: Not the same. Our bodies biologically respond to be in social settings. Seeing people smile, judging their body language.
LEELA: But if you´re addicted to the virtual world – and what’s happening there – I guess you’re saying you can get really freaked out and worried or upset when you’re not on social media?
MAMA: Yep. And that’s “problematic engagement.”
LEELA; Well, you said the number increased from 7 percent to 11. I mean…. it’s not THAT big of an increase, and it’s kind of a small number anyway, right?
MAMA: Look, we’ve only had “social media” for the past decade or so. And yes, studies are still being conducted. But we have enough information to form preliminary conclusions, and the evidence OVERWHELMINGLY states that…
LEELA: Too much social media, too soon in a young person’s life, can have negative consequences. We know, we know.
MAMA: In fact, before the WHO came out with their study, there were many other individual countries that studied social media’s ill effects. Like one in the U.S. last year.
LEELA: And wasn’t there something big here in India…?
MAMA: Yep, here in India a law that was passed last year requires parental consent for children to access platforms collecting personal data.
LEELA: Really? I did not know the specifics of THAT. Humph.
MAMA: Yep, and Australia went even further and recently passed a BAN on social media for kids under the age of 15.
LEELA: Ah ha! Australia you say!? I know just who can tell us more about the latest social media bans in Oz, Sebastian Harrow, our newest kid correspondent from Sydney. Over to you Sebastien!
SEBASTIAN: Thanks, Leela! So yeah, the Australian government is considering a ban on social media in our country for kids under the age of … well, that hasn´t exactly been determined just yet, but something like 14, 15 or 16.
Right now, they are running some tests. Like how to verify that someone is the age they actually SAY they are?
When they get that sorted, they’ll start to ban social media for kids under a certain age. And I’m not going to lie to you, it’s a touchy topic here!
For kids who are like 13, and have been using social media for a few years now, imagine getting kicked off all of a sudden? I would NOT want to be the kid in that scenario.
And just to keep it real, I’ll take the other side, also. Imagine being the parent of that 13-year-old. Getting them to delete their account? Yeah, good luck with that one.
It’s a lose-lose, if you ask me. For kids AND parents!
Is it true that kids today don’t pay attention as well as they used to? Like from all the screen time, and games, and constantly swiping? Yeah, maybe.
Look, I know it was tough growing up without the internet, my mum reminds me all the time. It’s not my fault you had to use a big book to find a friend’s phone number. We have WhatsApp.
I guess at the end of the day, it doesn´t matter what we kids want, really. The adults are in charge.
And by the way, I think they feel kind of guilty about giving us social media in the first place!
For now, the grown-ups make the rules, until WE grow up, and change them back!
In Sydney, this is Sebastien Harrow for Newsy Pooloozi!
LEELA: Hey hey I hear ya, Sebastien. Thanks a LOT for that report! And welcome into the Newsy Pooloozi!
[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crl8d0x9lpdo
MAMA: In fact, there was another law passed recently in Australia regarding the internet… it’s called the “Right to Disconnect” law. And, yep, it’s another TECHHHH story!
LEELA: Wahoo – bring on the tech and social media special episode… (and yes, folks, even the oddball is related to toooo much tech! Stay tuned!) Well, then, play the sting, Mama!
TECH STING – LEELA/MAMA: “It’s time for…. Technology News, technology news, tech news!”
LEELA: So, the right to disconnect you say? Like, disconnect from the internet? But don’t we all have the right to be connected, or not, whenever we please?
MAMA: Yes, buuuuuut. As you might remember, during the pandemic, working from home was the norm.
LEELA: And school from home, too. How annoying that was!
MAMA: Well, imagine if your teacher sent you an email or text at 8:30 at night about an assignment for the next day.
LEELA: First, I would be like “wow, this is super late to be hearing from my teacher!”
MAMA: Totally! It would not be appropriate because your school hours are from 8 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. Or there abouts. By 8:30 at night, you´re getting ready for bed!
LEELA: Yes, but I would also be like… “Ugh… oh…. Am I supposed to do this assignment right now? Due tomorrow?” I would be a little stressed out, I think.
MAMA: You sure would be! Having to finish a last-minute assignment while you´re tired and not at your best!?
LEELA: Yes, very stressful indeed!
MAMA: Well, that’s exactly what the “Right to Disconnect” is all about, but for adults in the workplace.
LEELA: So, it’s the right to not answer texts or emails from… I guess it would be your boss, then?
MAMA: Yes! During the pandemic, when we all worked from home, employers and employees, frankly, slipped into the habit of working odd hours, and MORE hours, since we all had to stay indoors anyway.
LEELA: So, you were getting emails from your boss at 8:30 at night? What am I saying – you still do!!!
MAMA: I was indeed! And probably send some to my team too…
LEELA: Oooops.
MAMA: But I don’t expect a response till the working day. Still… maybe I should just refrain.
LEELA: And enjoy your OFF time!
MAMA: True. Well, I’m not the only one. It’s gotten to be that people are working all hours of the day. And that can lead to burnout.
LEELA: I know what that is… when you… Just. Can´t. Do it anymore.
MAMA: Right again. So, to protect workers, countries started creating laws that say employees have a right to not to answer calls, texts or emails related to work after your shift is over.
LEELA: Like Australia.
MAMA: Ah-ha. Along with about 20 other countries in Europe and Latin America.
LEELA: I guess there are lots of ways we are trying to control technology. From banning social media for teens, to banning after work texts messages from your boss!
MAMA: We are talking about a lot of boundaries today. And there’s MORE.
LEELA: More?! Do we need to play the sting again?
MAMA: No… but maybe we need some dramatic music for this one… we are talking about a couple of the most POWERFUL companies on the planet.
MUSIC
LEELA: Go for it!
MAMA: So, the Europe Union General Court has just penalized… wait for it… the web browser GOOGLE for unfairly directing people to their own Google Shopping service rather than to competitors.
LEELA: Huh. Like, when people type “where to buy the latest Taylor swift album” into Google, the first results they get are from Google’s own shopping service, rather than from Amazon, for example?
MAMA: And not just Google under the spotlight – but also Twitter… Sorry, X! The Brazil Supreme Court says X has to BLOCK certain accounts from the platform because… they spread disinformation
LEELA: Fake news!
MAMA: Yep!
LEELA: Busted.
[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y32g7203vo
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60156257
https://apnews.com/article/google-european-union-digital-antitrust-7810906b9fda391f9fa393750d67e76a
https://apnews.com/article/brazil-x-suspension-judge-musk-aff86ceac1076438e9e340712c09dc57
WORLD WRAP STING – LEELA: “What’s that? I’ll tell you what. That’s the halftime bell! Which means… it’s time to hear what’s making news around the rest of the world. Hold on tight, it’s around the world in 80 seconds.”
MAMA: Massive news in the ongoing troubles in the Middle East where Israel is fighting against the militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Well, now Iran is into the mix, launching 200 ballistic missiles into Israel in its largest ever attack on the Jewish state. This is seen as retaliation after the Israelis assassinated a leader of Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group backed by Iran.
In Europe far-right political parties are on the rise with Austria’s Freedom Party securing the first far-right national election win since World War II. And in neighbouring Germany there were a spate of terror attacks ahead of key state elections in regions known to be more favourable to right-wing, anti-immigration parties.
In Asia, a powerful typhoon bashes the Philippines and is now heading to Taiwan, where its military units are on standby and schools are closed as they brace for the storm that’s the equivalent to a Category 4 Atlantic hurricane.
In India they’re not seeing “Yellow” but red… as there’s anger over concert tickets for the British rock band Coldplay that sold out in minutes and are now reported to be selling for outrageously high prices. How high? Some say tickets have been purchased for $11,000.
And finally heard the one about the cheesy, Chinese necklace? Literally? No joke. The world’s oldest cheese is found in necklaces on mummies in China. When we say old, how old…? 3600-year-old cheesy mummy necklaces in fact. Yum!
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-49867930
https://arkeonews.net/worlds-oldest-cheese-found-in-necklaces-on-3600-year-old-mummies-in-china/]
MAMA: And finally, let’s see what the lucky dip machine has for us this week.
ODDBALL STING – VARIOUS VOICES: “Step right up, step right up… Have a go at the lucky dip machine… What’s it gonna be today, eh? An oddball, no doubt!”
LEELA: And guess what we have? Another tech-in-excess story!
MAMA: Why am I not surprised – that lucky dip machine knows us so well!
LEELA: With so much talk about social media this week, I think it’s only natural that today’s oddball is about a medical condition that’s related to sitting in front of a computer for hours and hours
MAMA: Oh really? Is it called paresthesia? That’s when parts of your body fall asleep. Like when you get “pins and needles.”
LEELA: Nope, it’ s not that.
MAMA: Hmmm… is it carpal tunnel syndrome? That’s when you get cramps on the palm side of your wrists from doing too much of the same movement over and over.
LEELA: Nope, that either.
MAMA: Is it computer vision syndrome? Which is when your eyes get messed up from staring at a screen all day.
LEELA: Wrong again. But gosh, I guess there are a lot of health problems that can arise from using a computer! No, the answer I am looking for is… gluteal amnesia.
MAMA: Gluteal amnesia? Like your butt forgets your butt?! You know, gluteal, as in your rear end, and amnesia, as in, forgetfulness. Are you saying there’s a disease where your butt forgets how to do its job?
LEELA: It’s more like your butt’s muscles forget how to do THEIR job. It can happen after you’ve been sitting for hours and hours…
MAMA: Wait, wait a minute, isn’t that what I’ve just said. Your butt forgets how to do its job?
LEELA: No… Your butts muscles forget how to do THEIR job.
MAMA: OK, OK, I guess that’s a slight distinction. Go on, go on.
LEELA: Or technically put: a lack of muscle tone and strength in the gluteus maximus muscle – caused by too much sitting, which leads to decreased blood flow to the muscles. Like… when you’ve been sitting for hours and hours, like at a computer.
MAMA: Oh, I know that feeling well – unfortunately. And how does one go about preventing gluteal amnesia?
LEELA: Researchers say if you´re sitting for a long period of time, you should stand up every so often and rotate your hips. And, and, and… (laughs) – I CAN’T. I just cannot. Here you read what the lucky butt, I mean, dip machine has printed out… I just… can’t.
MAMA: You should stand up every so often and rotate your hips and squeeze your butt cheeks together.
LEELA: YES, that kind of thing.
MAMA: Squeeze your butt cheeks together. Got it. Although… “gluteal amnesia” …. I bet there’s a better sounding name out there… hmmmm….
LEELA: There is! Believe or not, it’s called “dead butt” syndrome.
MAMA: Now that is a name I can get behind.
LEELA: Good one, mother! I’d try to outdo you on that pun-fun – buttttt, I’m afraid that’s all we have time for.
MAMA: Baddumpooo…. Get it – like poooooo poo!!
[SOURCE: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/04/well/move/dead-butt-syndrome-gluteal-amnesia.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paresthesia]
FAB FACTS STING – LEELA: “And it’s time to wrap up the podcast with the top five fab facts heard today. Here goes…”
MAMA: FAB FACT NUMBER 1 – The European arm of the WHO released a study that says the number of kids with quote-unquote “problematic” engagement with social media has gone up from 7 percent in the year 2018 to 11 percent in 2022. What is WHO?
The World Health Organization
LEELA: FAB FACT NUMBER 2 – And what does “problematic” engagement with social media even mean?
When you spend most of your time online instead of doing other important things and getting worried or upset when you’re not on social media
MAMA: FAB FACT NUMBER 3 – Modern humans sit too much – and sitting all day long can cause dead butt syndrome, which is what?
A lack of muscle tone and strength in the gluteus maximus muscle – caused by too much sitting, which leads to decreased blood flow to the muscles.
LEELA: FAB FACT NUMBER 4 – As for other unpleasant things that can happen with too much sitting down in front of a device… There’s also that feeling of “pins and needles” when part of your body falls asleep. What’s that called?
Paresthesia?
MAMA: FAB FACT NUMBER 5 – That’s not all, your eyes can also get messed up from staring at a screen all day, which is called…?
Computer vision syndrome
And don’t forget, if you want to test yourself later on, then go to the Lucky Dip page of our website, newsypooloozi.com, that’s pool-o-o-z-i, and take this quiz online in your own time!
LEELA: And that brings us to the end of this episode of Newsy Pooloozi!
THEME MUSIC
LEELA: If you enjoyed this dip in the coolest pool of news and information then HIT that subscribe button on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Alexa or wherever you get your podcasts.
MAMA: While you’re at … Give us a good rating. Or better still, leave us a review! Go on – we’ll read it out loud if you do…
LEELA: OK, so we’ll see you next episode in the happy, splashy giant Newsy Pooloozi! Stay curious!!!
-ends-
