As the debate on whether Australia should introduce a social media age limit – and indeed, whether such a ban would even work if imposed – continues, two Univeristy of Sydney academics have weighed in arguing that if such a ban is introduced, it should not include online video games, citing the value of social gaming to children’s social lives and learning, personal growth and identity development as a reason why. The authors are concerned that the introduction of a definition of social media in implementation legislation that takes in such games would cut children off from numerous beneficial outcomes they provide, including “rich spaces for play” that are “critical for children’s identity formation, social lives and imagination”. As the authors note, it is not like online video games don’t have concerning issues as well, but just banning them will not make children’s online lives better and there is always a risk bans are circumvented.

While we haven’t seen a definition in legislative drafting yet, I and others are Wikimedia Australia are similarly concerned about how defining social media could unintendedly take in websites such as Wikipedia and the other Wikimedia platforms. Depending how social media is defined, it may include hosting user-generated content (UGC), issuing users unique profiles, allowing users to interact with each other such as by commenting on content or direct messaging each other – all of which arguably occur on Wikipedia and Wikimedia platforms. Like video games, Wikimedia platforms are not perfect but blanket banning them would have more negatives for children and young people than benefits.

Services and Creative Skills Australia and Creative Australia have released a interim findings of an Arts Workforce Scoping Study which was commissioned as part of the National Cultural Policy. Looking at skills shortages and recruitment issues across six sectors in the arts and creative industries – performing arts, visual arts, craft and design, writing and publishing, digital games, screen and music – the study shows that we are facing acute workforce shortages in many areas, including:

• Production and technical roles across all creative sectors
• Off-stage creative roles in the performing arts, especially lighting designers
• Creative roles in digital games development, such as game artists, art direction/production design, creative directors and writers
• Creative, production and technical roles in the screen sector
• Finance and accounting skills and workers in all sectors except games
• Marketing and communications skills and works in the performing arts and the visual arts, craft and design

The report also notes that recruitment and retention issues are exacerbated in regional and remote areas 

Factors impacting retention include perceived low incomes and poor working conditions, limited career development opportunities and a lack of awareness and understanding of available training options. The study also highlights that new skills are needed in the sectors, including around digitalization and AIAI is tech and marketing speak for a range of technology that imitates human intellect. Learn more  →. And it also identifies that, while some efforts have been made to recruit from historically underrepresented groups, the need for greater diversity and inclusion in the creative workforce remains.

There’s a new documentary about Pharrell Williams out called Piece By Piece which is odd for two reasons: firstly, it is entirely animated in Lego and secondly, the film does not include the Blurred Lines court case at all. ⟨ For the purposes of this listing I am not writing about the filmmaking specifically, but it does sound interesting and the article shares a bit about the style and process. ⟩ The film’s director, Morgan Neville, said he wanted to include the case but it “ultimately derailed the story he was trying to tell.” That doesn’t mean Neville doesn’t think the case was important. Quite the contrary, in fact: Neville says “My take on the Blurred Lines case is that it’s one of the worst judicial decisions about creativity in history. I think Pharrell was in the right on it, and I think most creatives agree with him.” Even if the copyright matter isn’t taken up directly, the interview hints at the film exploring aspects of Pharrell William’s music making, including his synaesthesia and visual experience of music, getting lost, creatively and dealing with your musical sound going from unorthodox.

I have written a bit recently about the Content CredentialsA content label and verification process created by Adobe for disclosing information about content. Learn more  → content marking initiative Adobe is pushing, but importantly there are other approaches to marking authentic images. Atom Images’ ATOM H1 is a device photographers can use to “capture trusted, authentic images in a world where the line between real and fake is becoming blurrier by the day.” It connects to any digital camera and ‘signs’ images created using that camera with a unique ‘fingerprint’. Like Content CredentialsA content label and verification process created by Adobe for disclosing information about content. Learn more  →, ATOM H1 and its digital platofrm focuses on marking authentic content rather than focusing on identifying fakes. What makes the ATOM H1 different is that it allows users to compare media to a ‘ground truth image’, with areas of the image that have been changed marked with colour coded frames. The device is also much more affordable than replacing your existing digital camera with one that complies with the Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) standard by default. As Stuart Sevier, founder of Atom Images, says “… you should have to go buy a new $5,000 camera to get some of these [content authenticity] solutions.”

The 2024 Brighter Super & Investment Trends Retirement Income Report highlights a concerning decline in retirement preparedness among pre-retirees Australians and a significant income shortfall actual and needed retirement income – on average $1,300. Unsurprisingly, inflation and cost-of-living pressures have contributed to this reality for retirees and pre-retirees. While people are generally satisfied with their superannuation funds, the report suggests super funds need to step up and provide better support to their members, particularly upping awareness of and access to financial advice and retirement planning education they provide.