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Borneo Post
21-07-2025
- Borneo Post
Filter, monitor: Every parent's role to safeguard children online
By equipping families to monitor, communicate, and set healthy boundaries online, Kempen Internet Selamat reinforces the message that internet safety starts at home but requires the involvement of all. – AI Image KUALA LUMPUR: Today's children are more digitally connected than ever, with access to games, learning tools, and social media at their fingertips but, this connectivity brings serious risks, especially from child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Many people think only the government or police can tackle this, but experts say that keeping children safe is a shared responsibility for everyone. The Kempen Internet Selamat (KIS) continues to prioritise public education on the importance of digital safety, especially in addressing the threat of CSAM. The campaign promotes practical tools and family-based strategies to empower parents in their role as digital guardians. By equipping families to monitor, communicate, and set healthy boundaries online, KIS reinforces the message that internet safety starts at home but requires the involvement of all. 'Addressing CSAM is not solely the responsibility of the police or the government, it is a responsibility we all share,' says David Ho, Founder and Executive director of Navigator Asia Business Sdn Bhd and parent. David Ho With predators exploiting every gap in oversight and awareness, a collective approach is essential to build multiple layers of protection. The Sexual Offences Against Children Act 2017 in Malaysia further underscores this collective responsibility, requiring anyone who becomes aware of child sexual abuse to report it immediately. Parents and guardians are the first line of defense against these threats. Ho emphasises that 'parents need to build open communication with their children, making it safe for them to discuss uncomfortable issues.' By creating an environment where children feel comfortable sharing, parents can identify early signs of grooming or inappropriate behavior. Monitoring is another crucial component where parents should regularly check their children's devices, friend lists, and browsing history. Setting clear digital boundaries through family internet agreements can help outline appropriate online behavior, define prohibited websites, and establish consequences for violations. Ho also stresses that 'families need to stay informed about the latest trends and risks to guide their children effectively.' In addition to proactive parenting, technology provides powerful tools for safeguarding children online. Parental control software like Bark and Qustodio offers comprehensive features including content filtering, screen time management, and AI-based monitoring of social media interactions. These solutions help detect issues such as cyberbullying, inappropriate texting, and mental health red flags before they escalate. At the network level, router-based parental controls can block harmful content for all devices connected to the home Wi-Fi. Device-specific controls, often built into smartphones and tablets, allow parents to set screen time limits and restrict access to age-inappropriate content. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), together with local telcos, has introduced initiatives to make these tools more accessible to families nationwide. Content filtering technologies are also indispensable in the fight against online exploitation. Automated systems leveraging cryptographic hashing and AI-powered image classifiers can detect and block CSAM in real time. These systems adapt to new tactics as predators evolve, preventing exposure to harmful content and supporting law enforcement efforts by reporting detected material. Despite these tools, the most advanced technology cannot replace vigilance. Parents and caregivers should watch for warning signs that a child might be exposed to harmful content. Sudden changes in behavior, excessive secrecy about online activities, unexplained gifts, and knowledge of sexual topics beyond their age are all red flags. Other grooming indicators include adults isolating the child, giving gifts without parental consent, or encouraging the child to keep secrets. Community involvement plays a critical role in child online safety. Awareness campaigns, school-based digital literacy programmes, and family-centered workshops are vital for educating both children and adults. 'Community awareness increases vigilance and promotes reporting of suspicious behavior,' says Ho. Programmes such as Vietnam's 'Swipe Safe' have shown that community-driven education can significantly improve protective behaviors and awareness among young people and their families. Peer networks also empower children to support each other. When young people are educated about online safety, they are more likely to recognise grooming tactics and alert adults or friends. This peer-to-peer approach is highly effective in creating a protective environment around children. Collaboration between public institutions, the private sector, and civil society organisations further strengthens child protection efforts. Through resource sharing, joint training, and coordinated responses, these partnerships can develop advanced detection technologies and provide essential support services for victims and families. Malaysia's adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection of Children from all Forms of Online Exploitation and Abuse and its national Plan of Action on Child Online Protection highlight the importance of these collaborations. Technology companies also play a significant role in combating CSAM. They must implement advanced detection systems, enforce strict age verification processes, and provide easy-to-use reporting tools for users. Transparency reports that detail efforts to combat CSAM can build public trust and encourage ongoing improvements. Furthermore, companies should maintain close cooperation with law enforcement and child protection organizations to ensure swift responses to emerging threats. Continuous updates to AI moderation systems help keep pace with new evasion techniques used by predators. Ultimately, the fight against CSAM and online exploitation requires an unwavering commitment from every sector of society. As parents, teachers, community members, and digital citizens, they all have a role in protecting children and seeing the red flags. By combining strong family communication, robust monitoring, community involvement, and technological safeguards, coming together can create a safer online environment for our children. Ho explains that parents and community, 'Make the Internet a safer place for the next generation.' This call to action serves as a powerful reminder that a community can disrupt the cycles of harm and build a digital future where children can learn, connect, and explore safely. Through collective action and constant vigilance, the solutions to these challenges are within reach. As the community continues to strengthen the defenses and educate communities, it can ensure that the internet becomes a space for growth and discovery rather than exploitation and danger.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bark receives second noncompliance warning from NYSE in less than 2 years
This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: For the second time in less than two years, online pet company Bark has received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange stating that it is no longer in compliance with its continued listing requirements, per a company release. The reason for the NYSE notice is that the company's stock fell below an average closing price of $1.00 per share over a 30-day period that ended July 9. The stock closed at $0.87 at the end of trading on Tuesday. The company is considering all available options to regain compliance, including a reverse stock split. Dive Insight: Bark has received another warning from the NYSE just 16 months after last regaining compliance. The company has experienced a number of financial headwinds over the past couple of years. In its most recent earnings report, fourth-quarter revenue decreased 5% to $115.4 million, while revenue for the year was down 1.2% to $484 million and net loss narrowed 11% to $32.9 million. The company is also navigating potential tariff impacts: In June, it said it was considering 'modest' price increases for products to offset tariff headwinds. The company has been looking to expand its offering recently. Last year, the company launched Bark Air, referred to as the first airline specifically designed to accommodate dogs. Initial flights used charter aircraft to fly canines and their owners through regional airports in New York, London and Los Angeles. The company has also broadened its C-suite, adding a new chief revenue officer and chief marketing officer in 2024. In May of last year, Bark brought back former company executive Meghan Knoll to head up the brand's DTC business. Recommended Reading Allbirds plans reverse stock split to regain Nasdaq compliance Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Your Kids Are Smarter Than Ever. These Apps Help You Keep Up
Savvy parents use safety measures wherever possible. With technology, dangers lurk both online and within apps that children use. Fortunately, parental control apps and services can limit screen time and phone usage while filtering the websites your child can access when surfing the web. Here are our parent-tested favorites this year. Get some peace of mind while you help your kids stay safe out there! Two plans for families. Monitoring for social media, emails, and texts. Seven-day free trial. Many alerts. No safe-driving features. Somewhat pricey. Bark comes in two plans: Bark Jr. ($5/month or $49/year), designed for families with young children, and Bark Premium ($14/month or $99/year) for families with kids of all ages. Both plans cover families of every size, have location-sharing features and alerts, screen time management features, and filtering for the websites your children can visit. In addition, the Bark Premium parental control plan gives busy parents peace of mind by monitoring more than 30 social networks 24/7. The app also monitors YouTube usage, texts, emails, cyberbullying, online predation, and suicidal ideas. Price: Bark, Jr. is $5 monthly/Bark Premium is $14 monthly after a free trial. Download For: iOS Android Available on smartphones, tablets, and PCs. Filters web content on all browsers. Free trial available. The annual fee starts at $54.95 for five devices. iOS version can't limit video game playtime. While it requires a bit of an investment, Qustodio is a popular monitoring app for parents, and for good reason. The app is available on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Kindle and allows parents to receive daily reports on the apps their kids are using and how much time they spend on their devices. Parents can set specific screen time windows, outside of which the device becomes unusable, and the advanced web filtering limits the content minors can view while surfing the web, whether they use Safari, Firefox, Edge, or another browser. A free account can offer basic protection on one device, but multi-device monitoring requires a membership. Price: Free; Premium plans start at $54.95. Download For: iOS Android Can limit screen time, video games, and apps. Free to use with Xbox, Windows, Android, iOS. Generates activity summaries. Web filtering is limited and easy to get around. No social media monitoring. Difficult to set up. It can be difficult for parents to monitor their children's gaming, but the Microsoft Family Safety app is a free set of tools to monitor and limit what their children do on Xbox One, Windows 11, and Android devices using Microsoft Edge. This app includes free web filtering, app blocking, and scheduling for up to six family members. The app's content filters create a safe environment for children of any age by designating suitable sites that are always allowed and never allowed. Price: Free with in-app purchases available. Download For: iOS Android A child tracker and censorship tool all in one. All features and functionality are free. Can take up to 30 minutes to set up. Basic web content filtering. The Google Family Link app is a free tool that parents can use to control the apps their child downloads on their mobile phone, how much screen time they're allowed each day, and the content they can purchase. Once it is set up, the Google Family Link app, which is available on iOS and Android devices, can also track the location of the connected smartphone, making this service a solid child tracking app. Google Family Link is a fantastic tool with almost all the features that other apps charge a monthly membership fee for. Price: Free Download For: iOS Android Filter game and media content, including DVDs. Parents can limit how long children play games. Fully managed on PS4 and PS5; no smartphone app. Confusing for parents who don't use PlayStation console. Sony's PlayStation 4 doesn't have a standalone app solution for controlling kids' screen time like the Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, but it does feature some solid settings built into the console that can be accessed in Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management. Once activated, these parental control settings can limit how much time children can spend playing video games each day and between what hours. Parents can also select which age ratings they'll allow for video games, digital media, and DVD and Blu-ray discs, which can bring peace of mind whenever the kids play alone. Price: Free. Featured Link: EXTERNAL: Visit PlayStation Parental Controls Full reports on times used and games played. Disable the console at specific times. The app can be installed on only one smart device. Inability to set unique play limits for individual users. Nintendo's Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app is a free app for iOS and Android that connects directly to your Nintendo Switch. After it's connected, the app monitors play time limits, what games are played, and who's been playing. All the data displays within the app in an easy-to-understand fashion, making monitoring video game screen time incredibly easy. The true power of the app lies in its ability to restrict how much family members can play the Nintendo Switch per day. Parents can set time limits in the app in just a few seconds and suspend the console completely after bedtime. Price: Free. Download For: iOS Android Affects every device in the home. Completely free. Only works with your internet connection, not mobile. Setup is fairly complex and can take a while. It's a service. Not an app. OpenDNS FamilyShield is a free service that prevents everyone who connects to your internet connection from accessing adult or inappropriate content when online. What's particularly impressive is how the security settings affect every single device in a household, from personal computers to smartphones and tablets. Price: FamilyShield isn't an actual app you download to your iPhone or Android smartphone, but it's a service that can help control what content the mobile devices in your house can Link: EXTERNAL: Visit OpenDNS FamilyShield A lot of functionality in the free version. Monitors web, app, and other usage. 30-day trial of premium features. $69.99 annual subscription needed for all features. The web filtering is good, but isn't foolproof. While many parental monitoring apps on Android require a premium fee to unlock all of their features, ESET offers a surprising amount for its free version. Once parents download and install the app on a tablet or smartphone, they can monitor the websites their children visit, limit what apps they can install from the Google Play Store, set time limits for certain apps, limit how much money they can spend on digital purchases, and view a basic activity report. The yearly premium subscription unlocks web filtering, which restricts what kids can see online, and also provides a tracking tool for parents to pinpoint where their children are in the real world—but these are features offered elsewhere for free. Parents can also monitor all activity from the ESET website, which is convenient for households with only a few smart devices. Price: Free; Premium version for $69.99 annually. Download ESET Parental Control Related: The 6 Best Security Camera Apps for iPhone Read the original article on Lifewire
Phone Arena
23-06-2025
- Phone Arena
Parenting in the Digital Age just got a power-up: meet Bark
This story is sponsored by Bark. PhoneArena's opinions in this article have not been affected in any way! Disclaimer Let's face it—parenting in 2025 isn't just about keeping your kids fed, clothed, and vaguely moral. It's also about keeping their digital lives from turning into a trainwreck of dopamine loops, cyberbullying, and algorithmically-served is where Bark comes in. And not the kind that scares off squirrels. The Bark App, Bark Phone, and Bark Watch are three tightly integrated tools that — when used with intention — give parents just enough control to guide their kids online without becoming surveillance isn't here to scare parents into buying stuff. It's not pushing fear. It's promoting digital literacy — starting early, with the right tools. Because let's face it — the world has been turning increasingly digital over the past couple of decades, and things are only accelerating with the introduction of if you need a fighting chance to raise healthy, connected kids that don't live in a Faraday cage, maybe you want to check out the three main pieces of equipment Bark has for you: Bark App that can work on (almost) any phone Bark Phone that's a through-and-through Android device, but with guard rails pre-installed Bark Watch for the younger kids This isn't your average 'track-every-text-message' app. The Bark App takes a smarter, more nuanced approach. It uses AI to scan for potential issues — think bullying, depression, sexting, predators — and flags them discreetly. You get alerts, not transcripts. Signals, not your teen jokes 'I hate my life,' it'll flag it, but it won't send you an alert for every 'LOL I'm dead' meme. It's not about catching single words — and let's face it, we can't really keep up with all the words that are trendy nowadays. Yes, we used to laugh at people our age… we used Bark monitors for trends before sounding the app can also tap into the phone's GPS, granted you set up the permissions prior. It will simply send you notifications if the child arrives or leaves a destination. Or, if you have an TikTok-addicted young driver on your hands, the Bark app has a setting to lock the phone whenever your child is Works quietly in the background Sends alerts only when something's potentially concerning Lets your kid have privacy, until they shouldn't Cons: Still dependent on platform permissions (cough, iOS, cough) Now if your child is due for their first phone, and you're already feeling the digital dread, the Bark Phone is your answer. It's a Samsung Galaxy A36 or A16 (your choice) under the hood, but with a custom Bark OS layer that comes with all the bars pre-installed. The Bark Phone lets you control practically everything: app installs, screen time, bedtime phone shutdowns, even whether your child can delete texts (spoiler: they can't). It looks like a normal phone, feels like a normal phone, but it behaves like a digital training wheels isn't your helicopter-parent tracker — it's more of a gentle co-pilot. Bark wants your kid to graduate to a normal phone one day. But when your 11-year-old asks for Instagram, you'll probably want to 'Think about it' while disabling the Play Store No app store access until you allow it Text and image monitoring built in with default support for 30+ apps Location tracking that is enabled and guaranteed Custom screen time schedules (goodbye 3AM YouTube binges). Cons Slightly higher monthly cost than a burner phone Your kid will eventually want a 'cooler' phone The Bark Watch looks like a hybrid between a Fitbit and a Garmin — but inside, it's all about location and communication. No TikTok. No browser. No app zoo. Just: GPS tracking Step counter Messaging and calling (with contact management, parental controls, and monitoring) Emergency alerts Basically, it's the 'first phone' that isn't actually a phone. For a 7-10 year old, it's the sweet spot: they feel connected; you feel yes, it tells time.
Metro
06-06-2025
- Health
- Metro
What I Spent: The therapy you actually get for £100, £50 or free on the NHS
While there are options available through the NHS, many people in the UK will have to pay out of pocket for talking therapy. According to services marketplace Bark, this will set you back an average of £60 per session. But it all depends on the type of therapy you have, where you're based, and the provider you go for — and to make it extra ambiguous, many don't tell you their rates until you get in touch. Then there's weighing up the cost for each visit versus the long-term outlay. For example, while certain therapeutic methods may seem more expensive, you may only need a limited number of sessions, so it could work out cheaper overall compared to ongoing counselling. It's important to do your research beforehand, as clinical psychologist Marianne Trent explains: 'I'm aware of some people (even unqualified people) charging £300 plus per session and coaching sessions can be astronomical too!' The titles therapist, counsellor, psychologist and psychotherapist are not protected in the UK, meaning anyone can legally describe themselves as such without specific qualifications. However, organisations like the British Psychological Society do register certain professionals – like clinical psychologists and chartered psychologists – while the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy) provide voluntary regulation and ethical guidelines for therapists. When choosing a therapist, it can give you peace of mind to check if they're registered with one of these professional bodies – and always make sure to check their training, experience, and adherence to ethical frameworks. The fact is though, professional support can be invaluable, and only you can decide whether the results are worth the investment. So if you're considering it, these three Metro readers' experiences can give you a better idea of what you can expect to spend. Dina Grishin, 39, is a career coach and coaching psychologist based in London, spending £100 on each 50-minute session she has with an EMDR therapist trained in the Polyvagal approach. 'This is a combination I've been looking high and low for so I'm happy I found her, even though this is the most I've ever spent on a therapist,' Dina tells Metro. 'I've been seeing her nearly weekly for a few months now (we're on session 10) but it's not therapy that will last years so knowing there's an end date this year – perhaps within a couple of months – also helps justify the cost.' She also visits an EFT therapist once every three to eight weeks ('on a 'when needed' basis after working more intensely at the beginning') paying £90 for each 90-minute session. And prior to that, she paid £60 per session for CBT and £50 for talking therapy. EMDR Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing – is a psychological therapy that can help people who are affected by traumatic memories. According to the NHS, EMDR – which is recommended by NICE – for the treatment of PTSD – uses one of two ways to process the memory: tapping from side to side and moving your eyes from side to side. Polyvagal-informed EMDR would see these methods used alongside the outlook that our autonomic nervous system (ANS) can shape our responses to trauma. EFT 'Emotional Freedom Technique uses the art of tapping on acupuncture pressure points to release negative emotions,' explains the Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation website. 'It has proved effective in reducing anxiety and improving overall wellbeing. EFT is often described as 'like acupuncture without the pins'.' CBT Cognitive behavioural therapy involves working with a therapist to help you change your thoughts and behaviour. Available through the NHS or privately, it's suitable for a range of different mental health conditions, and typically is offered in courses 5 to 15 sessions. Personal stylist Abbey Booth, 49, has been visiting a CPD certified hypnotherapy and anxiety coach, Jo – who charges £75 for 60 minutes – around once or twice a month for the last eight months. A spate of menopause-related anxiety and panic attacks led the Herts-based mum to seek out regular support, but she also books additional sessions when things are especially difficult, to help give her the tools to cope. In fact, she's so impressed with her 'brilliant' therapist, she paid for her son to see Jo when he was dealing with exam stress. Alongside working with Jo, Abbey recently began having ADHD coaching at a price of £150 for a block of three 45-minute sessions too. She tells Metro: 'During busy times I can get inertia/blocks or hyper focus, so It's really helped with coping strategies when the noise gets too much and I need time away to recalibrate and refocus. 'These sessions are run online and I've been having them for a few months. There's also contact in between via email and voice notes – brief check-ins which I find very useful.' Hypnotherapy This type of therapy uses hypnosis to try to treat conditions or change habits. It can help people work through a range of issues, but the NHS recommends avoiding it 'if you have psychosis or certain types of personality disorder, as it could make your condition worse.' Anxiety coaching 'An anxiety coach is someone who guides people out of anxiety using a structured, effective approach,' says the STILL Method website. It adds that while this coaching technique is 'not therapy', many find it to be 'therapeutic.' ADHD coaching Like anxiety coaching, this is more about helping people with ADHD to develop their own strategies and skills to manage their daily lives, work, and relationships. Coaches provide guidance in areas like executive functioning, organisation, and time management, either through set sessions or 'when needed' advice. Johnny Seifert, 32, from London, previously underwent seven sessions of private counselling at £50 per 55-minute appointment, but found he would often end up 'talking almost for the sake of talking, without being given any coping mechanisms to help actually make a difference.' After asking his GP for help with his anxiety, the host of mental health podcast Secure the Insecure was referred for an assessment with the NHS. Three months later, he had a phone consultation, and two weeks after this, was offered eight weekly group therapy sessions over Zoom. However, Johnny was unable to attend these lunchtime calls due to work commitments and was looking for something 'more one on one', so requested an alternative option. More Trending Around a month later, he was then offered a six-week programme of Self Guided Help. This involved Johnny working through a booklet and going through his behaviours with a Trainee Psychological Trainee Practitioner in 30-minute weekly phone sessions. 'Each week, 24 hours before the session, I am sent a questionnaire that has a risk assessment and assesses my anxiety levels,' he tells Metro. Towards the start, the course specifically focused on 'validating' what Johnny was feeling. Now on session four, he's progressed to learning tools 'such as Worrying Time Management to manage the time you actually worry' – which he says has been 'really useful'. View More » 'As it's on the NHS, I do sometimes feel that I am just a number,' says Johnny. 'It's very much about the present week rather than looking into past traumas and triggers of where the worrying (in my case) has come from, understanding those root causes so that the behaviours do not happen again in the future.' Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Perrie Edwards: 'I took my therapist to work every day to help manage my panic attacks' MORE: I get why women say Jason Statham's hair is 'ideal' — I'm more attractive bald MORE: Free school meals to be extended to 500,000 chilldren across the country Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
