The White Hatter

11/09/2025

11/09/2025

False Equivalency Causes Moral Panic When It Comes To Youth & Technology : Two Case Studies

This article was inspired by two recent events. First, an online seminar we attended recently, where the presenter displayed an image suggesting that cellphone use activates the same brain activity and biochemical addiction as drug use, without offering any citation or supporting source. Second, a social media post from an influencer claiming that a study found “heavy screen users had significantly reduced dopamine receptor activity, especially in the reward processing areas,” implying that smartphones are “literally rewiring children’s brains to feel numb to everyday life.”

Here's our article that looks at these two case studies in great detail https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/false-equivalency-causes-moral-panic-when-it-comes-to-youth-technology-two-case-studies

11/09/2025

Such a GREAT article written by a young person on technology and youth

In his best-selling book, The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt argues that smartphones have “rewired” childhood and broken a generation. He calls Gen-Z the least flourishing generation in modern history and urges a retreat to something closer to 1980s parenting, complete with delayed phone acc...

11/08/2025

When World Leaders and Influencers Use Unverified “Zombie” Statistics: A Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Imagine you pick up your morning paper and read a headline like this, “60 % of 11 to 19 year-old boys did not see a single friend in their free time.” because of cellphones. This statement was made by Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s in a recent speech. The figure is dramatic, it ignites concern, and it seems to support a policy push to ban social media for youth and teens. The problem, no one can locate a credible study to substantiate it. The statistic floats in public discourse, yet lacks an empirical anchor. In fact the media outlet reporting the speech notes the statistic was presented without a source.

For parents trying to make sense of the digital world pressures on children, this offers an important lesson, even well-meaning policy statements can rely on unverified (“zombie”) statistics that are often used to push a political agenda.

To read our full article, click this link https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/when-world-leaders-and-influencers-use-unverified-zombie-statistics-a-guide-for-parents-and-careg

When a nation’s leader claims “60% of 11–19-year-old boys didn’t see a single friend in their free time” because of phones, it sounds alarming, but no credible study supports it. This unverified statistic shows how even influential voices can spread “zombie data” that fuels fear instea...

11/08/2025

At The White Hatter, much of our work focuses on delivering evidence-based education around digital literacy and internet safety. Part of that mission includes exposing the growing amount of misinformation and disinformation being shared by individuals in positions of power and influence, often to push political or even financial agendas related to youth, technology, and social media.

This weekend, we’ll be sharing a few articles that take a closer look at this issue and highlight why parents, caregivers, and educators need to approach what they read and share online with a more discerning eye. While it’s true that some youth experience real challenges with technology use, our understanding of those challenges should be guided by credible, evidence-based research, not by unverified statistics or selectively cited information within studies that is now used to advance political or financial interests!

The White Hatter

Facts Not Fear, Facts Not Emotions, Enlighten Not Frighten, Know Tech Not No Tech

11/07/2025

The Emotional, Intellectual, and Spiritual Attachment of AI — A Lesson From Policing, It’s All About Rapport and Building Trust!

Caveat: Drawing on Darren’s 30 years of experience in policing, and his trainings in Neuro Linguistic Programming, he recognizes a strong parallel between the rapport-building techniques used in interrogations and the methods now being employed by AI companionship apps. That connection is what inspired this article.

For years, legacy social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok have thrived on grabbing and holding attention. Likes, follows, and endless scrolling were designed to capture a user’s eyes and keep them there. However, artificial intelligence (AI) represents a far deeper shift in how technology connects with the human mind. Unlike the static feeds of legacy social media, AI has the capacity to form what can feel like a relationship, one that engages a person’s emotional, intellectual, and even spiritual needs.

Interestingly, these same three dimensions of connection, “emotional”, “intellectual”, and “spiritual”, have long been used by skilled police interrogators to build trust and rapport. In law enforcement, this approach helps establish a sense of safety, understanding, and moral alignment, often leading someone to open up. Now, those same principles are being replicated through code, at scale via AI companionship apps, and without the ethical guardrails that human professionals are bound by.

To read our full article on this extremely important topic for parents, caregivers, and educators, click this link https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/the-emotional-intellectual-and-spiritual-attachment-of-ai-a-lesson-from-policing-it-s-all-about

11/07/2025

What a night! Our online live session on Artificial Intelligence brought together parents, caregivers, and educators from across the globe, and the response was incredible. The discussions were lively, the questions insightful, and the energy unmatched.

If you missed the live broadcast, there’s still time to catch the full experience. The recording is available to watch until Sunday, November 9th.

Click this link and then click the green "view ticket" to access . the cost is $6.25

Register now for Raising AI-Ready Youth: Safety, Privacy, Ethics, and Success Plans on crowdcast, scheduled to go live on November 6, 2025, 06:00 PM PST.

11/06/2025

🚨 Tonight’s the night! 🚨

Join us live for our virtual presentation on what every parent, caregiver, and educator needs to know about Artificial Intelligence, and how youth are already migrating toward this powerful new medium.

We’ll unpack what AI means for learning, creativity, safety, and the future of digital literacy. You still have time to register and be part of the conversation that every adult guiding kids online needs to hear.

🎥 Reserve your spot now — it starts tonight at 6pm(PST)! For those who register you will also have access to a 48hr recording to watch over the next two days as well.

To Register

Register now for Raising AI-Ready Youth: Safety, Privacy, Ethics, and Success Plans on crowdcast, scheduled to go live on November 6, 2025, 06:00 PM PST.

11/06/2025

When Eye Rolls Become a Validation: Why That’s the Wrong Measure of Success in Digital Literacy & Internet Safety Education

What does it really mean when a digital literacy or internet safety presenter says, “I know I’ve done my job right when parents and caregivers tell me their kids rolled their eyes because new rules are coming after my presentation”?

The statement often earns laughs and nods from adult audiences who feel validated in setting limits. However, beneath the humour lies a troubling philosophy that runs counter to what effective education, relationship based safety, and meaningful digital literacy are all about.

As digital literacy and internet safety educators who have spent decades speaking to students, parents, and educators across North America, we believe it’s time to challenge the idea that resistance from youth equals success. When a young person rolls their eyes, it’s not proof that the message “hit home”, it’s often a sign that the message didn’t connect.

To read our full article on this topic click this link https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/when-eye-rolls-become-a-validation-why-that-s-the-wrong-measure-of-success-in-digital-literacy-in

11/05/2025

Deepfake Nudes and the Law: What Parents, Caregivers, and Adults Should Know About a New Ontario Court Ruling

Caveat - We are not lawyers, and this is not legal advice, however Darren was involved in criminal justice system for over 30 years given his role in law enforcement, and we do follow case law from across Canada specific to the intersection of the misuse of technology and the law.

This morning, a Toronto Star headline caught our attention: “Distributing a fake n**e of your spouse is ‘morally reprehensible’ — but not a crime under Canadian law, Ontario judge warns.” The story refers to R. v. Kapoor, 2025 ONCJ 542, a case that exposes a serious gap in how Canadian law addresses deepfake technology and intimate-image abuse.

To read our full article on this VERY important case, click this link https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/deepfake-n**es-and-the-law-what-parents-caregivers-and-adults-should-know-about-a-new-ontario-cou

11/05/2025

When AI Meets the Holidays: The Scams Parents Should Watch for This Christmas Season

Well, Halloween is over, so let the Christmas season begin!

The holidays bring connection, giving, and celebration, but they also bring a surge in online and offline scams. With the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI), both shoppers and scammers are turning to technology for very different reasons.

This Christmas, AI isn’t just helping families find the perfect gift, it’s also being used to trick them. Understanding both sides of this emerging technology can help parents protect their families online this Christmas season.

To read our full article click this link https://www.thewhitehatter.ca/post/when-ai-meets-the-holidays-the-scams-parents-should-watch-for-this-christmas-season

11/04/2025

This Thursday, Nov 6th, we are hosting a live virtual presentation on Artificial Intelligence at 6:00 p.m. (PST).

The Topic - what every parent, caregiver, and educator needs to know about the current state of Artificial Intelligence from a safety, security, privacy, and ethics standpoint.

For those who register, there will also be access to a recording of this live event for 48hrs, so that if you live in a different time zone, you can still have the opportunity to watch.

Here's the link to register: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/raising-ai-ready-youth