Field Trips to … Data Centers?
What? Despite facing a lot of backlash (or perhaps because of it), proponents of data centers are trying a new method to win the approval of younger generations: field trips. That’s right—instead of going to the zoo or a museum, pro-data center groups are hoping to sway young minds through school-sponsored visits to server farms.
So What? This tactic is nothing new for industries facing public relations difficulties. Data centers have been trying to build goodwill with the public through outreach efforts like these and other community programs. But some worry that this is nothing more than “corporate propaganda” aimed at impressionable young minds.
Now What? In a recent Pew Research poll, nearly half of Americans said that data centers have a negative impact on both local quality of life and the environment. Ask your kids if they have received any information about data centers through their schools—and if there are any data center field trips on the docket—and be ready to fill in any knowledge gaps that you may see.
A Big Reason Teens Oppose School Phone Bans
What? Would it surprise you to learn that most teens oppose all-day phone bans at school? Maybe not, but the primary reason why teens feel this way might: According to new research from Hopelab and Data for Progress, 50% of students who opposed all-day school phone bans cited needing access to a phone in case of an emergency. And lest you think that the “emergency” angle is just an excuse to get some screen time during class, 64% of the same respondents actually supported banning cell phones during class.
So What? According to the teens who took part in this survey, fear was a major factor in wanting to have access to their personal phone—fear of “school shootings, medical emergencies or being unable to reach or be reached by family in a crisis.” Phones can be a distraction, but they can also be a safety precaution.
Now What? Based on the findings, the researchers had a few recommendations. They said schools should create clear emergency and communication protocols—and include students’ personal experiences in policy creation. Make sure you’re aware of the policies at your child’s school. Push for straightforward emergency protocols if none exist. And discuss a communication plan with your child, should the need arise.
Clickless Spyware on iPhone?
What? It used to be that, as long as you didn’t click on a suspicious link or button while browsing online, you’d be safe. But Axios says that may no longer be the case. Hackers are now designing spyware that will activate even without a click—all you have to do scroll past one of these traps during normally safe web browsing. These traps use web elements that automatically load on a site, like an advertisement. They can trigger malicious software attacks designed to steal login credentials and search for the cryptocurrency wallets of iPhone users.
So What? Obviously, this is a game changer in the way spyware can be delivered to an unsuspecting user. Scrolling past an infected advertisement or even using a legitimate website that references other compromised sites or tools can result in a hacker gaining access to sensitive information on your devices.
Now What? Be sure to keep your device (and your family’s devices) updated with the latest security patches. These attacks “depend on exploiting vulnerabilities in specific software versions,” so updating to new versions will reduce your risk.
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