Introduction
The internet has become an integral part of our lives, providing a platform for information exchange, communication, and global connectivity. However, It has also presented pressing challenges such as online gender-based violence.
In the past few weeks, I have been utilizing FeedShield, an online safety tool developed by Jigsaw and Code for Africa. It is a powerful web-based tool that uses machine learning to filter out negative comments and trolls on Twitter.
Interestingly, Feedshield is not only an online safety tool but also contains a resource kit integrated into the platform. It houses interactive lessons, self-help tools, and valuable connections to organizations committed to the same cause.
Allies, Tools and Resources
The FeedShield resource kit empowers users with essential knowledge and insights to navigate the intricate web of online safety. In the upcoming sections of this blog, I will share some of the major resources and organizations I have interacted with. They include the following:
Digital Safetea is an interactive fiction game developed by Pollicy and Paradigm Initiative. It features possible scenarios facing young women from diverse African countries. This is an effort to raise awareness on digital security and safety issues. The game fosters the resilience and empowerment of players in a fun, informative way. It also provides players with valuable insights on tackling online threats.
Totem is an interactive online platform developed by the International Women’s Media Foundation. It focuses on increasing digital security and privacy. It offers a course specifically designed to help journalists identify and handle abuse they might encounter online. No specific requirements are necessary to enroll in the course, and it is also beneficial for activists and human rights defenders.
Ayieta is a proactive toolkit designed for African digital rights actors to combat online violence. Developed by Paradigm Initiative (PIN) with support from Stanford Digital Society Lab and the Kingdom of Netherlands, it aims to safeguard digital rights defenders, journalists, and whistle-blowers in the global South. The toolkit contains a quiz, password generator and security goal setter to empower individuals to secure a better online experience.
#ShePersisted is a movement dedicated to combating gendered disinformation targeting women in politics. Their focus includes researching digital harms, empowering women leaders with digital resilience, and advocating for better digital standards. You can Join #ShePersisted in this important endeavor by engaging in shaping conversations on democracy, technology, and women's rights.
Tune is an experimental Chrome extension from Jigsaw, It empowers users to control the volume of toxic comments they encounter online. The tool works across popular platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Disqus. By customizing the toxicity level they are willing to encounter, users can curate a more positive and safer online experience.
Troll Tracker, a collaborative effort by civic tech industry experts, including Code for All, Code for Africa, DFRLab, iLab, PesaCheck, and CivicSignal, aims to monitor and unmask disinformation actors on Twitter. It holds these agents accountable by retrieving and exposing their deleted inflammatory posts, thereby helping investigators in their efforts to combat disinformation.
FeedShield and its allies recognize the importance of online safety, which led to the development of these valuable tools. Take your time and review which tools might be suitable for your online safety needs. I also encourage you to share this information with your friends, family, and colleagues to create a digitally resilient community. Click on this link to explore the FeedShield toolkit.