MAY NEWSLETTER 

Kia ora koutou

Privacy Week is on now, running until 15 May, and the theme this year is 'Foundations for the Future | He Tūāpapa Anamata'. Events are organised by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, and throughout the week you can access free webinars covering topics on AI, cybersecurity, and children's privacy. Next week is Youth Week and you can browse the nationwide events planned by checking out Arataiohi's Youth Week Calendar.

The team here at the Classification Office create prevention information, resources and training to complement our forensic classification role. We've produced information about objectionable content in plain language, and resources for parents, educators and youth workers with practical tips when harmful content has impacted young people. If you work alongside young people and would like some training in your workplace, get in touch. 

Our newsletters generally talk about topics like sex, drugs, and the media content landscape. Our aim is to have difficult conversations and shine a light on ways to reduce harm for New Zealanders. If you know someone who should receive these updates, please share our newsletter or encourage them to subscribe. Be sure to follow our socials and LinkedIn too.

Aroha atu, aroha mai, tātou i a tātou
Let’s look out for each other

— Chief Censor Caroline Flora

#Mātakitahi #WatchTogether #Kōrerotahi #TalkTogether 

Image: Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway in Devil Wears Prada 2

New resource: What is Looksmaxxing?

Young people may come across looksmaxxing content through recommendations (algorithm), memes, "glow up" videos, gym culture content, or online communities discussing dating and attractiveness. 

It's an online trend that focussing on improving physical appearance to become more attractive. Last year, with Netsafe, we released research into young people's experiences with body image content online. In our resource we break down the terms and answer frequently asked questions such as how can I talk to my child about looksmaxxing?

Other recently published resources include What is Grok?, Children and AI chatbots, and our Gaming Resource hub. 

Free Netsafe Online Safety Training

Register your interest for online training designed for anyone who works or volunteers with young people

“Can I tell you something that happened online?”

When a young person opens up like this, it’s not always clear what to say or do next - especially when it involves cyberbullying, harassment, or the sharing of intimate content.

Netsafe offers free online training for people who work or volunteer with young people. It’s designed to help you respond with confidence, support young people in a safe and respectful way, and connect them with the right help when needed.

You’ll learn how to:

• Respond in a way that supports a young person experiencing online harm
• Create space so they feel heard and taken seriously
• Recognise when and how to connect them with further support

Register your interest or share with your team and networks: https://forms.office.com/r/DebDz293ce

New from Ofcom: Research to support global efforts to tackle CSEM

Fascinating research recently released by Ofcom, UK's online safety regulator, into how active offenders use online services to exploit children.

Ofcom commissioned Protect Children, an NGO and global leader in this particular field of research, to carry out an anonymous survey among offenders who have used known keyword terms to search for CSEM on the dark web.

Almudena Lara, Online Safety Policy Development Director, Ofcom said:

“Working closely with partners both at home and internationally, we know that preventing this abuse requires a deep understanding of the motivations of perpetrators and the ways technology can be exploited to enable these crimes.

“This research will help inform and strengthen the global effort to protect children online. Given the scale of the challenge, we must equip ourselves with the best possible evidence, intelligence, and insights to guide our work.”

Read the research findings and more online

Why did Apex get this rating?

16: Graphic violence and offensive language

Sasha is an experienced climber and kayaker grieving the death of her husband. She heads into the Australian wilderness for a solo adventure. What starts as a trip to clear her head turns into a brutal fight for survival when she discovers a seemingly friendly local is actually hunting her through the remote national park. 

Apex was self-rated by Netflix and received a 16 with content warnings for graphic violence and offensive language. Read our breakdown of this rating.

Why did Sgt. Haane get this rating?

M: Violence

A documentary that tells the true story of Sergeant Haane Manahi, a hero of the 28th Māori Battalion, whose actions during the 1943 battle at Takrouna, Tunisia, were pivotal in securing a critical victory for the Allies.

Sgt. Haane was rated by Film and Video Labelling Body and received an M with a content warning for violence. Read our breakdown of this rating.

Why did Devil Wears Prada 2 get this rating?

M: Offensive language

Andy Sachs reunites with Miranda Priestly as they navigate their careers amid the decline of traditional magazine publishing.

Devil Wears Prada 2 was cross-rated by the Film and Video Labelling Body and received an M with a content warning for offensive language. Read our breakdown of this rating.

Because our work requires a broad knowledge of the vast online landscape, we consume a lot of media in the office. Here are just a few of the things we’ve found relevant and informative over the past month. Take a break with these media lunch items:

AI chatbots might dob: Meta issues warning to teens (1 News)

Meta explains news safety features for teens on Instagram (RNZ)

In the mood for: 10 nostalgic comfort movies (Flicks)