Jorge Flores: “The RRSS are a very dynamic means that you have to know how to manage”
Jorge Flores created the organization “Pantallas Amigas” almost fifteen years ago when he realized the dangers users -especially minors- were exposed to when surfing the Internet and the scarcity and lack of quality of the material dedicated to prevention that existed in Spain.
He explains us what dangers we face when we surf the internet on a personal level and as a company and offers us a series of tips and guidelines for facing the problems that we can find more frequently in our day to day life.
When and why was Friendly Screens created?
The idea was created in 2004, so we are about to turn 15 years old. In an educational project, we had the opportunity to make an online didactic resource with flash technology that included chatting spaces.
We were surprised to see what was happening there and we investigated what was happening with the minors and the Internet in other countries where there was more access to the Network: USA, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada …
We also analyzed the prevention of these problems in Spain and we dind’t like the little we found. So we started working on the prevention of what would soon be a problem: grooming, cyberbullying, privacy management…
What dangers do we face when we surf the internet?
Harmful content (and we could include fakenews and hate speech in this category), Grooming, Cyberbullying, Cyberbullying, Sextorsion, Gender Cyber-violence, Crimes Commission, Abusive Use, Loss of privacy and reputational affections and digital identity.
What advice would you give a user to navigate safely?
To sharpen some skills like common sense, critical thinking, empathy, prudence and calm, because the hurry in which we live the digital life does not help.
Also, as general practices, care of the cybersecurity of the equipment and connections used and be jealous of your personal data and privacy.
How should a company act before the so-called “haters”?
What I comented before is valid and perhaps we should emphasize some more than reasonable points. The strategy must be evasive (close doors and channels) and not confrontation. It must also be a creative action to counteract, without direct confrontation, the harmful effects generated.
As a company, how should we react if we see an unpleasant exchange of messages between two people in one of the publications of our networks?
Observe and see what is the origin and which path it has. After the analysis, if the matter looks like going further, make an appeal to civility. If there are rules of use of the platform contrary to what is happening, remember them. If with all of this the matter does not cease, it would be necessary, at least, to moderate those messages before resorting to the expulsion or blockade.
Do you consider that most companies use social networks responsibly? Why?
It is progressing but there is some way left. Social networks are a very dynamic space you have to know how to manage in a planned way and sometimes you don’t get the necessary attention. In addition, it is a channel of interaction, so it is not easy to have the best response to unforeseen demands.
What characteristics does good content have from the point of view of responsibility and security?
It must be generalistic, because the conditions and cases can change from one day to the next. It is also about creating capacities in the interlocutor even if the scenario changes.
At the same time, concrete guidelines for practical use should be offered, which help to visualize the concepts and obtain immediate benefits.
Suppose that our business offers a product or service not allowed to minors, how could we prevent their access?
It is the eternal debate and there is no way beyond identification with identity and age accreditation, well solicited either from their parents or legal guardians.
What do you think when you see articles on Google that talk about the same concepts as Pantallas Amigas?
Exclusive knowledge lasts very little. Any information in any format can be digitized and exposed to everyone, for better or for worse, legally or illegally. It is a collective heritage.
Who do you address in the contents? Parents or children?
The audiovisual contents and the didactic resources are for children, parents and educators. A large part of the 125,000 subscribers of our YouTube channel are minors.
On the other hand, we write for professionals from different fields, but always using a simple language available to most families.
How do social networks affect your organization?
We can consider that they are:
- An essential channel to share knowledge (teach and keep learning).
- A necessary means for our awareness action.
- A tool to spread the actions and resources of the organization.
- A forum to share with other professionals from around the world.
- A context in which we can better understand the needs of the target audiences of our interventions, of our target audience.
