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Game On! Headspace Invaders Turns Retro Arcade Style Into Platform Against Online Harm
Game On! Headspace Invaders Turns Retro Arcade Style Into Platform Against Online Harm

Scoop

time17 hours ago

  • Health
  • Scoop

Game On! Headspace Invaders Turns Retro Arcade Style Into Platform Against Online Harm

Headspace Invaders is a new interactive platform that helps 12–16-year-olds build online resilience, critical thinking, and the confidence to respond early when they see something that feels wrong or manipulative online. The platform has been launched today in Wellington, at an event opened by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden. Designed by Netsafe, with input from young people, educators, Youthline, and subject matter experts, the free platform features three fast-paced, gamified modules that echo the look and feel of 80s arcade game, Space Invaders. Each section includes games, videos, and realistic examples designed to support young people to notice emotional manipulation and polarising content; reflect critically before reacting or engaging; respond safely and support others when harm begins to appear and recognise that early action can help prevent escalation. Additional resources enable teachers to use the platform in the classroom, and parents to have conversations at home. Chief Customer Officer for Netsafe, Leanne Ross, said young people are exposed to emotionally charged, polarising, or pressuring content online. Examples include viral misinformation and emotionally charged posts, identity-based slurs, memes, or humour that normalise exclusion, polarising narratives or secretive groups promoting 'us versus them' thinking and signs of extremist influence, especially in especially in social feeds led by algorithms, chat and gaming spaces. 'Many say they want help understanding what they're seeing and how to respond safely. Headspace Invaders fills a gap between basic digital safety and more advanced intervention tools. It focuses on the moments where confusion, pressure, or manipulation starts to take hold, well before someone might become involved in serious harm,' said Ross. This is one of the first youth-facing tools in New Zealand to explore online extremism, identity-based harm, and misinformation from a youth-led educational prevention lens. 'It reflects growing concern from schools, whānau, and frontline services about online content that isolates, manipulates, or gradually shifts young people's beliefs and behaviours. The platform is accompanied by teacher and parent guides, and grounded in prevention, not fear,' said Ross. Headspace Invaders was co-designed with 13 to 15-year-olds, including a dedicated Youth Co-Design Team and support from Netsafe's Youth Action Squad. Youthline contributed sector research and developed the platform's written content, ensuring that every section is evidence-informed, inclusive, and grounded in youth wellbeing. The process was guided by an academic steering group and informed by subject matter experts from across the prevention and countering violent extremism (PCVE) sector. Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley (MA MSc PhD ONZM FRSNZ), Honorary Research Associate at Te Kura Pukenga Tangata / College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University was one of the steering group members. 'All the evidence indicates that early interventions are the most effective – and none more so than when it comes to online safety and appropriate behaviour – and that co-design with young New Zealanders is critical if these interventions and guidelines are going to work,' said Spoonley. Dr Philippa Smith, an expert in digital media literacy and online harms, provided research-based advice during the development of Headspace Invaders and was also on the steering group. 'The more we can strengthen young people's media literacy skills, so they can critically assess what is credible versus what is false, manipulative or harmful, the more we equip them to participate safely and confidently in digital life. This resource empowers young people to navigate a minefield of negative online behaviours,' said Dr Smith. The platform is made up of three self-guided interactive modules: 1. Misinformation and Disinformation: how false or manipulated content spreads and why people fall for it 2. Harmful Online Behaviour: how online comments, jokes or patterns can become isolating, harmful, or prejudice-based 3. Online Extremism: how extremist thinking often begins subtly, and how to recognise early warning signs Explore, a national provider of Mental Health and Wellbeing Services and part of New Zealand Health Group, partnered with Netsafe for the launch as part of their collaborative work under the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Fund. Alongside the Headspace Invaders platform, they launched educator and front-line training on recognising and responding to online extremism at today's event. This is the second year Netsafe and Explore have worked together. Explore's NZ Health Group Director of Disability, Amanda Bleckmann, said the organisation is proud to launch PCVE Positive Online Interventions at the event today. This is a suite of eLearning modules designed to reduce the risk of radicalisation by equipping frontline professionals with the tools to engage early, safely, and effectively. 'This initiative is the result of a powerful and enduring collaboration across government agencies. We have worked closely with international experts, including the Violence Prevention Network, and with our workforce development partner MySkill. Most importantly, we've drawn on the wisdom of cultural and community leaders, because context and connection are key to making this work effective and safe,' she said. Headspace Invaders is now ready for use in classrooms and communities. We invite you to share it with educators and youth networks.

Headspace Invaders launched to help teens tackle online harms
Headspace Invaders launched to help teens tackle online harms

Techday NZ

time21 hours ago

  • Health
  • Techday NZ

Headspace Invaders launched to help teens tackle online harms

Headspace Invaders, a new interactive platform designed to build online resilience and critical thinking among 12–16-year-olds, has been launched in Wellington. The platform, developed by Netsafe with input from young people, educators, Youthline, and subject matter experts, is free to use and features three gamified modules resembling the 1980s arcade game Space Invaders. Each section includes games, videos, and realistic case studies intended to help younger users spot emotional manipulation and polarising content, reflect before reacting, respond safely to harmful behaviours, and recognise the value of intervening early on potentially harmful online material. The modules are supplemented by resources for teachers and parents, supporting both classroom integration and discussions at home. According to Netsafe, the intent is to empower young people to deal with online challenges before these escalate into more serious problems. Growing issues Leanne Ross, Chief Customer Officer for Netsafe, described the pressures facing young people online. She noted that youth are regularly exposed to emotionally charged, polarising, or pressuring content such as viral misinformation, identity-based slurs or memes, and polarising narratives. She added that secretive groups promoting "us versus them" thinking and signs of extremist influence are increasingly encountered, particularly in social feeds shaped by algorithms, chat rooms and gaming environments. "Many say they want help understanding what they're seeing and how to respond safely. Headspace Invaders fills a gap between basic digital safety and more advanced intervention tools. It focuses on the moments where confusion, pressure, or manipulation starts to take hold, well before someone might become involved in serious harm," said Ross. This platform is one of the first of its kind in New Zealand to address online extremism, identity-based harm and misinformation from a perspective focused on prevention and education involving young people. Ross commented on concerns growing among schools, families, and frontline services regarding content that isolates, manipulates or shifts young people's beliefs and behaviours. "It reflects growing concern from schools, whānau, and frontline services about online content that isolates, manipulates, or gradually shifts young people's beliefs and behaviours. The platform is accompanied by teacher and parent guides, and grounded in prevention, not fear," said Ross. Youth input and evidence base The co-design process involved 13 to 15-year-olds working alongside Netsafe's Youth Action Squad and a dedicated Youth Co-Design Team. Youthline provided sector research and developed content to ensure the platform is inclusive, evidence-informed and prioritises youth wellbeing. Guidance from an academic steering group and sector specialists informed the development, particularly around prevention and the countering of violent extremism. Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley, Honorary Research Associate at Te Kura Pukenga Tangata / College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University, was a member of the steering group. He endorsed the co-design approach, stating: "All the evidence indicates that early interventions are the most effective – and none more so than when it comes to online safety and appropriate behaviour – and that co-design with young New Zealanders is critical if these interventions and guidelines are going to work," said Spoonley. Dr Philippa Smith, a digital media literacy and online harms specialist, contributed research-based advice. She said: "The more we can strengthen young people's media literacy skills, so they can critically assess what is credible versus what is false, manipulative or harmful, the more we equip them to participate safely and confidently in digital life. This resource empowers young people to navigate a minefield of negative online behaviours," said Dr Smith. Module content The three modules focus on misinformation and disinformation, harmful online behaviour, and online extremism, each illustrating how these issues can develop subtly and the importance of recognising early warning signs. The platform's approach is self-guided and interactive, making it suitable for both individual learning and facilitated sessions in group settings. Collaboration for prevention Explore, a national provider of Mental Health and Wellbeing Services and part of New Zealand Health Group, partnered with Netsafe as part of collaborative work under the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Fund. In tandem with the Headspace Invaders launch, Explore introduced a suite of eLearning modules aimed at frontline professionals, enabling early and safe engagement in situations with potential risk of radicalisation. Amanda Bleckmann, NZ Health Group Director of Disability at Explore, explained the importance of cross-sector and cultural collaboration: "This initiative is the result of a powerful and enduring collaboration across government agencies. We have worked closely with international experts, including the Violence Prevention Network, and with our workforce development partner MySkill. Most importantly, we've drawn on the wisdom of cultural and community leaders, because context and connection are key to making this work effective and safe," she said. Context in New Zealand The launch of Headspace Invaders comes as government agencies highlight the need for early prevention in online safety. Recent assessments by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) warn that the risk of young people encountering violent extremist content online is increasing, often starting with emotionally charged posts or exclusionary messaging. The Department of Internal Affairs and New Zealand Police have also recorded growing instances of online behaviour with extremist or hate-based elements, especially in school and youth contexts, prompting a focus on early support and prevention networks rather than legal avenues alone. Headspace Invaders is now available for use in classrooms and communities across New Zealand.

Game On! Headspace Invaders Turns Retro Arcade Style Into Platform Against Online Harm
Game On! Headspace Invaders Turns Retro Arcade Style Into Platform Against Online Harm

Scoop

timea day ago

  • Scoop

Game On! Headspace Invaders Turns Retro Arcade Style Into Platform Against Online Harm

Press Release – Netsafe Designed by Netsafe, with input from young people, educators, Youthline, and subject matter experts, the free platform features three fast-paced, gamified modules that echo the look and feel of 80s arcade game, Space Invaders. Headspace Invaders is a new interactive platform that helps 12–16-year-olds build online resilience, critical thinking, and the confidence to respond early when they see something that feels wrong or manipulative online. The platform has been launched today in Wellington, at an event opened by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden. Designed by Netsafe, with input from young people, educators, Youthline, and subject matter experts, the free platform features three fast-paced, gamified modules that echo the look and feel of 80s arcade game, Space Invaders. Each section includes games, videos, and realistic examples designed to support young people to notice emotional manipulation and polarising content; reflect critically before reacting or engaging; respond safely and support others when harm begins to appear and recognise that early action can help prevent escalation. Additional resources enable teachers to use the platform in the classroom, and parents to have conversations at home. Chief Customer Officer for Netsafe, Leanne Ross, said young people are exposed to emotionally charged, polarising, or pressuring content online. Examples include viral misinformation and emotionally charged posts, identity-based slurs, memes, or humour that normalise exclusion, polarising narratives or secretive groups promoting 'us versus them' thinking and signs of extremist influence, especially in especially in social feeds led by algorithms, chat and gaming spaces. 'Many say they want help understanding what they're seeing and how to respond safely. Headspace Invaders fills a gap between basic digital safety and more advanced intervention tools. It focuses on the moments where confusion, pressure, or manipulation starts to take hold, well before someone might become involved in serious harm,' said Ross. This is one of the first youth-facing tools in New Zealand to explore online extremism, identity-based harm, and misinformation from a youth-led educational prevention lens. 'It reflects growing concern from schools, whānau, and frontline services about online content that isolates, manipulates, or gradually shifts young people's beliefs and behaviours. The platform is accompanied by teacher and parent guides, and grounded in prevention, not fear,' said Ross. Headspace Invaders was co-designed with 13 to 15-year-olds, including a dedicated Youth Co-Design Team and support from Netsafe's Youth Action Squad. Youthline contributed sector research and developed the platform's written content, ensuring that every section is evidence-informed, inclusive, and grounded in youth wellbeing. The process was guided by an academic steering group and informed by subject matter experts from across the prevention and countering violent extremism (PCVE) sector. Distinguished Professor Emeritus Paul Spoonley (MA MSc PhD ONZM FRSNZ), Honorary Research Associate at Te Kura Pukenga Tangata / College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Massey University was one of the steering group members. 'All the evidence indicates that early interventions are the most effective – and none more so than when it comes to online safety and appropriate behaviour – and that co-design with young New Zealanders is critical if these interventions and guidelines are going to work,' said Spoonley. Dr Philippa Smith, an expert in digital media literacy and online harms, provided research-based advice during the development of Headspace Invaders and was also on the steering group. 'The more we can strengthen young people's media literacy skills, so they can critically assess what is credible versus what is false, manipulative or harmful, the more we equip them to participate safely and confidently in digital life. This resource empowers young people to navigate a minefield of negative online behaviours,' said Dr Smith. The platform is made up of three self-guided interactive modules: 1. Misinformation and Disinformation: how false or manipulated content spreads and why people fall for it 2. Harmful Online Behaviour: how online comments, jokes or patterns can become isolating, harmful, or prejudice-based 3. Online Extremism: how extremist thinking often begins subtly, and how to recognise early warning signs Explore, a national provider of Mental Health and Wellbeing Services and part of New Zealand Health Group, partnered with Netsafe for the launch as part of their collaborative work under the Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Fund. Alongside the Headspace Invaders platform, they launched educator and front-line training on recognising and responding to online extremism at today's event. This is the second year Netsafe and Explore have worked together. Explore's NZ Health Group Director of Disability, Amanda Bleckmann, said the organisation is proud to launch PCVE Positive Online Interventions at the event today. This is a suite of eLearning modules designed to reduce the risk of radicalisation by equipping frontline professionals with the tools to engage early, safely, and effectively. 'This initiative is the result of a powerful and enduring collaboration across government agencies. We have worked closely with international experts, including the Violence Prevention Network, and with our workforce development partner MySkill. Most importantly, we've drawn on the wisdom of cultural and community leaders, because context and connection are key to making this work effective and safe,' she said. Headspace Invaders is now ready for use in classrooms and communities. We invite you to share it with educators and youth networks.

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