Sign in

Rebecca Roberts

@rebeccaroberts.bsky.social
850 followers 681 following 103 posts

Marketing and comms, specialising in youth audiences. Sport, higher Ed, youth and other chatter. Host of The Hear It Podcast and founder of Thread & Fable www.threadandfable.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Engaging Youth this week has the latest Girls Attitude report from Girl Guiding, a fascinating report on the values gap betweeen Gen Z and hiring managers, a new Office for Students survey on sexual violence/harassment and lots more engagingyouth.substack.com/p/girls-on-s...
engagingyouth.substack.com
Girls on safety, work values, pay off parties and return of the watch
Student decision making, dating linguistics and the toddlers helping teens
110
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Making a return here, we still around? Engaging Youth is a bumper one this week looking at Clearing & Freshers (and the nose dive into 90s lad culture on campus), what brands are Alpha's liking, the Covid Pause and more engagingyouth.substack.com/p/clearing-a...
engagingyouth.substack.com
Clearing and Freshers, Sephora kids and the Covid Pause
Lore obsession, unheatlhy fame, Alpha's top brands and why Gen Z need nature
020
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
Not sure anyone is still checking Bsky on the reg any more... but just shared latest Engaging Youth update and it's packed with reports and articles on children and young people this week - if youth audiences are your thing engagingyouth.substack.com/p/nepo-sport...
engagingyouth.substack.com
Nepo-Sport, anti-uni, ai spiritual guides and sex norms
Mental health, soft skills, army outreach and the fridge cigarette
020
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Do we have a news inheritance crisis pending? Latest Ofcom and Ipsos Mori data tells us more about news media habits among children and young people. Social first is here to stay but trust is the biggest cost - its news via family that has the most reliability www.threadandfable.com/post/do-we-h...
threadandfable.com
Do we have a news inheritance crisis pending?
Ofcom’s Children’s Media Use & Attitudes Report and Ipsos Online Lives of 15-24s has brought us fresh data this month and it’s news media habits where I’m first digging out some things to consider.We ...
010
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Latest episode is out - we're talking about Moral Panics and Gen Z - why headlines love to jump on a stereotype and why you absolutely have to dig into the data to better understand youth audiences open.spotify.com/show/16Pi1C1...
open.spotify.com
The Hear It Podcast
Podcast · Rebecca Roberts, Thread & Fable · How can we better engage youth audiences through our marketing, communications and campaigns? Back for Season 5, the Hear It Podcast speaks with guests from...
000
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
This was such a great conversation. I interviewed @lyndsaymcdade.bsky.social from Fearless Scotland, @crimestoppersuk.bsky.social about their successful sextortion campaign aimed at helping young victims. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/r...
podcasts.apple.com
Representing youth voice within campaigns with Lyndsay McDade, Fearless
Podcast Episode · The Hear It Podcast · 29/04/2025 · 23m
032
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
New episode out podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
What Gen Z really think with Zoplo's Tom Cullen
Podcast Episode · The Hear It Podcast · 15/04/2025 · 20m
000
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Testing the Hear It Podcast out on TikTok. 4 days in, around 12k views and a few hundred likes, it’s interesting figuring out what is/isn’t working on there. Since X became the worst place, I’ve needed to think about other platforms. Have a look/follow/feedback etc 🙌 www.tiktok.com/@thehearitpo...
tiktok.com
thehearitpodcast's Creator Profile
000
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Loved chatting with the @rspb.bsky.social on their approach to TikTok. Flying start to the new season of the Hear It Podcast, pun totally intended podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/r...
media.tenor.com
a seagull is standing on top of a tree stump with a blue sky in the background .
ALT: a seagull is standing on top of a tree stump with a blue sky in the background .
020
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Love having a chat with Yas from @rspb.bsky.social on their approach to TikTok. As a long standing bird of the week fan- it was great to chat communities, youth audiences and what measures really count podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com
RSPB Bird of the Week with Yas Devi
Podcast Episode · The Hear It Podcast · 01/04/2025 · 14m
010
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 31/03/2025
Season 6 of the Hear It Podcast lands tomorrow - some great guests coming on and sharing their wisdom and ideas of how to better engage youth audiences #engagingyouth #youthvoice #youthmarketing #genz podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
020
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 21/03/2025
Latest Engaging Youth - modern masculinity, a look at Gen Alpha as consumers, should we scrap GCSE's, lockdown impact and the Gen Z uniform... engagingyouth.substack.com/p/modern-mas...
engagingyouth.substack.com
Modern masculinity, Gen Alpha consumers, are GCSEs ok and being 'very online' is a thing of the past
Dating, drugs, brand 'lighthouses' and what's being labelled the Gen Z Uniform
020
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Lots shared on Engaging Youth this week; hotel of mum and dad, lost boys, is being online a human right?, is a happy youth a thing of the past, IWD campaigns, live music dips, ASMR interest and the #9to5 productivity maxing proving increasingly popular engagingyouth.substack.com/p/iwd-unhapp...
engagingyouth.substack.com
IWD, (un)happy youth, lost boys, ASMR, 5to9 club and the hotel of mum and dad
Lots of reports, surveys and articles this week. Are boys falling behind in the UK, is being online a human right and is the UK attractive to international students?
010
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 16/02/2025
Zebra-striping, brainrot, dating and goth revival - plus some interesting Gen Z insights on political views of young men in the US and Germany, plus (cue Mail uproar) on UK youth view on Britain as a nation. open.substack.com/pub/engaging...
open.substack.com
Zebra-striping, brainrot, dating and goth revival
Drink culture shifts, youth views on politics, dating and Britain, school sport and more screen time debate.
020
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 07/02/2025
Masks-off vibe shift in the US? School phone bans and text msg scams, how to get teen girls into entrepreneurship and the Millennial pause... vs the Gen Z shake. Lots in this weeks Engaging Youth update open.substack.com/pub/engaging...
open.substack.com
Mental health, fourth-space, phone bans and "Masks-Off Era"
Charities are calling for a MH reform, lots of data around digital/real life worlds and how to get more teen girls into entrepreneurship.
010
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Why do run clubs have a grip on Gen Z? *plot spoiler* for friends, dates and fun www.threadandfable.com/post/why-do-...
threadandfable.com
Why do run clubs have a grip on Gen Z?
While running clubs aren't new, they're offering both fitness and social spaces that are rapidly on the up for Gen Z audiences.
040
Reposted by Rebecca Roberts
Reuters Institute @reutersinstitute.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
"It'll become more difficult to distinguish professionally-verified information from other types of content on social media. Trust will be weakened," says Brazilian fact-checker @tainalon.bsky.social in this piece on Meta's U-turn on fact-checking reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/news/amid-wa...
reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk
Amid war, vicious attacks and political turmoil, global fact-checkers fear the impact of the end of Meta’s programme
Fact-checkers from Brazil, Croatia, Italy, Nigeria, Ukraine and the Philippines explain the potential effects for their revenue and their news ecosystem.
13911
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
"Gen Z want dictators"... the challenge with headlines from surveys is they'll get the click bait. There's a lot going on for youth audiences in the UK and as Channel 4 prepares to share findings in full this week, it's this label that's been publicised the most.
220
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
I've published All About Alphas today, a look at what life is like growing up in the UK. It's a sobering read, built on more than 30 research reports from the last year or so (so lots of links to more indepth data). Let me know what you think and feel free to share it www.canva.com/design/DAGcQ...
010
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
I'm launching 'All About Alphas' next week, a report taking a look at what growing up in the UK is like and what more than 30 research reports over the last year tell us about their lives and things to consider for 2025. engagingyouth.substack.com
131
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Er yep 🙄
000
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 20/01/2025
Here’s all the things we learned from the 9 hour TikTok ban;
media.tenor.com
a black dog is making a funny face with the words `` what are you going to do about it '' written below it .
Alt: a black dog is making a funny face with the words `` what are you going to do about it '' written below it .
120
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
“Get over it” Linda, traitor, 2025 😂 Fozia giving sad little life Jane vibes #traitors #linda
media.tenor.com
a man in a striped shirt is standing in a hallway and says what a sad little life
ALT: a man in a striped shirt is standing in a hallway and says what a sad little life
060
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
I did not have “masculine energy” on my 2025 ‘in’ list, wow
media.tenor.com
a man in a suit is holding a glass of water in his hand .
Alt: a man in a suit is holding a glass of water in his hand. Mark zuckerberg nervously takes a sip of water, presumably beefing up his masculine energy
230
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
2025... the beginning of the Beta babies. What things are set to define this new generation that are important to consider? I shared a few thoughts www.threadandfable.com/post/2025-th...
threadandfable.com
2025 - the beginning of the Beta babies
All Gen Alphas have been created and this year marks the start of a new generation - Gen Beta.
000
Reposted by Rebecca Roberts
Drew Benvie @drew.battenhall.com · 09/01/2025
I chatted to the BBC just now about the impact of removing user opt-outs from political content on Instagram and Threads, while also disbanding fact-checking. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Political content on Instagram and Threads ramped up
Users will no longer be able to opt out of political content from people they do not follow.
032
Reposted by Rebecca Roberts
Scott Bryan @scottygb.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Absolutely obsessed with this line from Linda. Incredible. #TheTraitors
1860757
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 03/01/2025
Linda being asked for an opinion on #thetraitors What an episode
media.tenor.com
a close up of a dog 's face with a collar that says ' spaniel '
ALT: a close up of a dog 's face with a collar that says ' spaniel '
050
Reposted by Rebecca Roberts
Scott Bryan @scottygb.bsky.social · 01/01/2025
Linda all episode #TheTraitors
11186
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Just about wrapped up for the year. Full festive excitement with the kids incoming 🎄
Merry Christmas graphic with pink/white stripes, Red Cross like a bow and a star in centre that says merry Christmas! @ threadandfable
030
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
Make it stop 😩
120
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
93% of children in the UK play online games and 40% of them have used loot boxes... I was curious as to what data was out there on things like loot boxes and skins trading as they've always given off gambling 🚩 When I say we don't talk about this enough....😮 www.threadandfable.com/post/how-in-...
threadandfable.com
How in-game features linked to gambling have young gamers in a choke hold
With loot boxes and skin trading, what do we know about the links to gambling that young gamers are at risk from?
011
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Why an eye on demographic patterns is useful.... particularly in higher education. A look ahead at UK Gen Alpha population numbers. Everything from the education gap through to course development may just become more important than ever www.threadandfable.com/post/age-ain...
threadandfable.com
Age ain't nothing but a number... unless you're recruiting students
While demographics aren't a personality in order to connect with communities, they can highlight important patterns, particularly in HE
000
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Having just spent 24hrs in/out of hospital with my daughter, this is very timely. Both her and another young teen were in with similar symptoms, both clearly in agony. After a series of tests one consultant concluded it “might be one of those things”
350
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Such a great piece with BBC Sport and Ilona Maher - people assume she’s not serious about the sport but as a female athlete she has to do more, financially and profile wise. Her approach to content and raising awareness of the sport is 👌 vm.tiktok.com/ZGdMqbMhD/
000
Reposted by Rebecca Roberts
TechCrunch @techcrunch.com · 10/12/2024
Instagram rolls out ‘trial reels’ that aren’t shown to a creator’s followers
tcrn.ch
Instagram rolls out ‘trial reels’ that aren’t shown to a creator’s followers
Instagram is officially rolling out “trial reels” to give creators a way to test out new content by publishing videos that don’t appear to their followers. The feature, which launched in testing in May, allows creators to experiment with new ideas and see…
1145
Reposted by Rebecca Roberts
The Conversation U.S. @us.theconversation.com · 08/12/2024
Is masculine anxiety spurring support for Trump among Gen Z?
buff.ly
Is masculine anxiety spurring support for Trump among Gen Z?
What does it mean if young men sense that their masculinity is under threat? Or if they sense a bleak and hopeless future?
335519
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Lovely day celebrating great Communications at @comms2point0.bsky.social UNAWARDS. Great to be shortlisted in best practitioner/agency and even better to catch up with and meet some great people.
Cinema screen at the UNAWARDS with “yipee ki yay it’s the 9th annual unawards@ written in white text on a red background with a black slanted section beneath it. You can see some of the sofa seats at the Everyman cinema with people sat in them looking ahead.
151
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
If you’ve spoken to one young person…. You’ve spoken to one young person. It’s not representative of all young people and youth audiences at large. Thanks for coming to my TED talk 😂🤪
040
Reposted by Rebecca Roberts
Joseph Rowntree Foundation @jrf-uk.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Hardship is making school absence worse amid big increases in absence rates among children receiving free school meals - new @cfyounglives.bsky.social report warns. Some children are missing school because their families can’t afford travel or the cost of correct school uniform. 🧵 1/3
13019
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Why demographics aren’t a personality – so stop trying to recruit students like they are?! Despite the number of middle class women of a certain age causing HAVOC this week, most prospective students don't identify as their demographics either. Why understanding fandoms and niches can help...
Ideentifying as a fan
130
Reposted by Rebecca Roberts
Parody Nigel Farage @parodypm.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Gregg Wallace taking charge of his own PR.
351902255
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
I’m so over the tender process tbh 😑
130
Reposted by Rebecca Roberts
The Verge @theverge.com · 27/11/2024
TikTok will block beauty filters for teens over mental health concerns
buff.ly
TikTok will block beauty filters for teens over mental health concerns
Children often can’t detect appearance-altering effects, a new report finds.
1222225
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
I spoke with Dereck Marumba from Tapin Media on Gen Z talent, stereotypes of young people at work and how recruits are gaining an inside track on how authentic organisations are beyond just having a DEI policy podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
010
Reposted by Rebecca Roberts
Mark Rofe @iamrofe.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Looking for a child welfare organisation/charity to comment on some research #PRrequest #Journorequest
144
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
I analysed 1000 articles on Gen Z from the Mail. In short 🤩They kind of love celebrating negative stereotypes 🤑 They're obsessed about Gen Z and work (lazy, woke, unrealistic used a lot) 😡 Little based in data, a lot based on generational difference www.threadandfable.com/post/do-the-...
threadandfable.com
Do the Mail have a Gen Z problem?
A look through 1000 of the most recent articles on Gen Z from the Mail and what it tells us....
5241
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 21/11/2024
As some of the most prolific travellers in the UK, not least we expect because of missed experiences during lockdown, the latest Hear It Podcast episode we speak with Student Travel Tips on the growing community wanting to explore the world link.chtbl.com/hearitpodcas...
030
Rebecca Roberts @rebeccaroberts.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Another episode of the Hear It Podcast is out today, this time hear from creator turned community founder Alfie Laurence on student travel and why Gen Z are set to be the UK's biggest travellers in 2024 link.chtbl.com/hearitpodcas... 20 mins including some tips on student travel content
link.chtbl.com
The Hear It Podcast | Rebecca Roberts, Thread & Fable
How can we better engage youth audiences through our marketing, communications and campaigns? Back for Season 5, the Hear It Podcast speaks with guests from a whole range of sectors and backgrounds, o...
001
Reposted by Rebecca Roberts
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 20/11/2024
Portugal is rapidly losing its young people. Will this new scheme convince them to stay? | Adam Almeida
dlvr.it
Portugal is rapidly losing its young people. Will this new scheme convince them to stay? | Adam Almeida
Studying in Lisbon, I found most of my peers were planning to emigrate. Now the government is turning to taxes to stop the brain drain In the autumn of 2018, I moved to Lisbon for a month-long course at the Universidade de Lisboa. I struggled to find any…
1423145