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Sarah Turner

@thepublicturner.bsky.social
242 followers 815 following 33 posts

Researcher of digital technologies - PI @projectcaise.bsky.social; Senior Research Fellow @uclknowledgelab.bsky.social. Chair @bfn-uk.bsky.social, school governor.

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Reposted by Sarah Turner
Electronic Frontier Foundation @eff.org · 02/10/2026
Trying to explain an Internet freedom issue to family or friends? Check out EFF's page with a bunch of one-pager handouts to help you learn about different subjects and share with the people around you! www.eff.org/pages/eff-o...
eff.org
EFF One-Pager Handouts
Keeping up on all of the information surrounding privacy and free speech on the internet can be challenging whether trying to educate someone in your life, providing resources to your community, or
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This American Life @thisamericanlife.org · 23/09/2026
Some NPR podcasts started getting mysterious comments on Spotify. They made no sense to the staff reading them – until someone from a younger generation cracked the code. Hear the story: link.podtrac.com/78g1b584
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Absolutely thrilled to be taking part in this. Get your tickets below!!
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Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 23/08/2026
“…researchers at University College London’s computer science department found that many detectors fail to adequately help users identify hidden surveillance devices, giving them a false sense of security.”
theguardian.com
Spying device detectors may give domestic abuse victims false sense of security, study finds
Many tools fail to help victims find hidden cameras, microphones and trackers, leaving them at risk of ongoing surveillance
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The Cosmic Shambles Network @cosmicshambles.com · 20/08/2026
It was often unclear what the myth of ‘The Great ADHD Myth?’ was meant to be other than the ones the filmmakers themselves made up. Our expert review pod with @thepublicturner.bsky.social, @ginarippon.bsky.social, Camilla Pang, @drdeanburnett.bsky.social & @robinindooroutdoor.bsky.social is out now
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Mogwai Fear Sarah @nogenius.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
And as this has got a bit of a reaction, would appreciate shares of this @robinince.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/noge...
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Robin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
We wondered on @cosmicshambles.com podcast whether Professor Katya Rubin knew how her interview was going to be used , well, surprise surprise (remember this was the documentary that Channel 4 boasted was “science led”)
Expert reaction to the TV show 'The Great ADHD
Myth?'
*NEW COMMENT* Prof Katya Rubia, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, said:
"My own contribution to this programme has been largely misrepresented as my comments were cherry-picked, truncated and presented out of context to make them fit into the programme's narrative that ADHD does not exist and there is no brain basis to the social construct.
The claim that ADHD is not a disorder of the brain
"It is true that with current technology (which might well change in the future) we cannot diagnose ADHD children based on a braindiagnose ADHD children based on a brain scan and the diagnosis is based on behavioural questionnaires and observations that are subjective. However, this does not mean that there are no neurobiological correlates to ADHD. There are differences in genetic, neurochemical, even immunological features and there is consistent evidence from three decades of neuroimaging research including my own for differences in brain structure and function as well as connectivity between children with and without ADHD. It is true that they are small at a group level, and that some children have no brain differences based on normative modelling studies.
However, part of the reason the differences between ADHD and non-ADHD brains are small at group level is because there is a large heterogeneity, with some children showing large brain differences and other milder cases showing very small differences, so this will bring the average down. There is also substantial evidence for a delay in normal brain maturation in children with ADHD.
Crucially, we need to take into account that the youngest and most severe cases with ADHD have never been scanned and if someone behaves very differently from the norm their brain will also function differently.
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Mogwai Fear Sarah @nogenius.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Listening to these two cosmic shambles episodes, much better than that fucking documentary and could actually help people learn about ADHD
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Marie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 19/08/2026
wrote about that ADHD documentary, my own life as someone apparently living the perfect life of the unmedicated ADHD poster child, and why no amount of "oh but the system should change, not the people" doesn't work: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
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The Cosmic Shambles Network @cosmicshambles.com · 19/08/2026
After Channel 4's 'The Great ADHD Myth?' aired last night, we gathered some experts to review just how wrong it got things. @robinince.bsky.social chats to Camilla Pang, @ginarippon.bsky.social, @drdeanburnett.bsky.social & @thepublicturner.bsky.social Full chat on The Incomplete Shambles Podcast.
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Robin Ince @robinince.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
For those who are still thinking about the Great #adhd myth but are short on time, I have made a condensed version @drdeanburnett.bsky.social @ginarippon.bsky.social
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The Cosmic Shambles Network @cosmicshambles.com · 19/08/2026
Recording our podcast review right now of the ADHD 'documentary' that aired on Channel 4 last night. @robinince.bsky.social is joined by @ginarippon.bsky.social, @thepublicturner.bsky.social & Camilla Pang. @drdeanburnett.bsky.social will be joining via pre-record in the final podcast. Out tomorrow
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Dr Dean Burnett @drdeanburnett.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
PSA If you encounter someone who dismisses your #ADHD because they watched 'The Great ADHD Myth?', feel free to tell them to contact me via my site so I can explain, at length, why they're an idiot Hell, send my their address and I'll do it face to face. I'm willing to go full 'Punisher' over this
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Delighted to contribute non-neuroscience-y bits on the press release about the new C4 doc on #adhd with @robinince.bsky.social, @drdeanburnett.bsky.social, @ginarippon.bsky.social for @cosmicshambles.com. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts... Next part will come after we've all watched it...
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The Cosmic Shambles Network @cosmicshambles.com · 11/08/2026
Recording a special podcast on neurodiversity and its portrayal in the media (and certain upcoming documentaries) today. Out next week.
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London is fine @londonisfine.co.uk · 08/08/2026
Hi! Do you live in London? Or have you spent time there? Would you like to help with some research on how we can counter the daft lies that circulate about our city online? I’d be really interested in your answers to two questions at www.londonisfine.co.uk
londonisfine.co.uk
London is fine – …meaning just okay or sunny or refined or FINE
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Evan Greer @evangreer.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Over and over the cycle repeats: Bad tech do bad thing Politicians: make bad tech not to bad thing? Companies: no bad thing make money Politicians: ah okay keep doing bad thing just add more spy
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Very excited about this!!
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
Excited to be heading off to @acm-idc.bsky.social this morning! Particularly delighted that it's literally over the road from the sea -- perfect, perfect location for this week 🌡️
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Matt Green @mattgreencomedy.com · 15/06/2026
Banning children from social media?
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Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
I'd like to see the electoral maths driving this. What are the back of the envelope maths on number of anxious parents in marginal seats that makes *this* worth a go vs the more muscular foreign policy that would be reflected in rolling out measures against X?
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Sophie E. Hill @sophieehill.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
It's time for UK teenagers to go on an IT support strike: ❌ Don't tell your grandparents which of their 5 remotes actually turns on the TV ❌ Don't help your parents set up a secure password manager ❌ Don't explain crypto romance scams to your uncle
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Elizabeth Taylor @elizabethtaylor47.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
One big problem I have with the ‘90% of parents is the consultation support the social media ban’ is once again queer teenagers especially are voiceless. In a cis straight world, even broadly supportive parents can’t fully represent their interests, let alone unsupportive ones.
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Rachel Cunliffe @rmcunliffe.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Got into an argument on Sky a few weeks about about banning social media for teens. "But parents want it!" Sure, but that doesn't mean it will work or is a good idea! How about a serious conversation about what social media is doing to all of us, adults included? Or is that too difficult?
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It's Pipes, Mum! Pipes is here! @scriblit.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
The 8.30 SM curfew for 17yos, people with jobs and/or getting ready to leave home for uni, reminds me of when the previous gvt were talking about not letting under 25yos drive other under 25yos even though that's loads of workers not able to car share and parents not able to drive their kids
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Gillian @heyheygillian.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
At 17 I flew to a different continent on my own, but I wouldn't be allowed to look at videos of planes on TikTok? I could legally have a baby, but not look up advice on why they're being so fussy during night feeds? The theory that the brain doesn't fully develop until 25 is a scourge.
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Electronic Frontier Foundation @eff.org · 12/06/2026
Our new primer breaks down the dangerous wave of social media bans sweeping the country: how they work (and why they won’t), who they harm, and how we can fight back. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
eff.org
How and Why to Fight Back Against Social Media Bans
Several U.S. states are pushing to ban young people from social media entirely. This marks the latest wave of censorship bills masquerading as “children’s online safety” measures, with states like
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
Having gone through the children's survey for responses, I have... concerns too. Not only are questions like 👇🏼 just a liiiiitle bit leading, but no print out of all questions, no back button, no save button, qualitative answers are presented as a single line text box...which, of course...
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
A growing number of countries are moving to ban social media for under-16s. But early data from Australia tells two stories. 5 million accounts deactivated, yet kids are already back. We need regulation holding platforms accountable for exploitative design across all ages, not bans
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 21/02/2026
OpenAI said ads in AI would be a "last resort." Less than two years later, ChatGPT has ads. This is enshittification — build something useful, attract users, then monetise them. AI is following social media's playbook, with higher stakes. Parent? I'm launching a newsletter tackling this.
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
It was a pleasure to be back at the University of Kent (where I spent my PhD years) on Tuesday to talk about children's use of generative AI at the Institute of Cyber Security for Society (iCSS).
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Really excited to be starting (brief) weekly updates on the world of children, AI (and related technologies) and @projectcaise.bsky.social; the snappily named CAISE Notes! Read the first one below⬇️
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Sofia Ropek Hewson @sofiahewson.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Social media is not like tobacco: not all use is bad for us. We should regulate SM companies to prevent harm to children but we should avoid more broadly framing all use as addictive. We might miss how platform design shapes our online lives more quietly.
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Sofia Ropek Hewson @sofiahewson.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
We’ve always worried about addictive new tech and children. In 1868, Francis Paget wrote that sensational novels were like opium; in 1941, doctor Mary Preston found that half of the children she researched were addicted to radio and TV crime dramas and consumed them ‘like an alcoholic does drink’.
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
Ethics application: submitted ✅ The tricky bit? Assessing risk when teens are using AI in ways that range from totally innocuous to genuinely concerning. How do you research something none of us fully understand yet? Carefully, with lots of safeguarding... 🤞Let's hope our reviewers agree!
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
I cannot recommend reading this thread enough: truly, Andrew is doing the Lord's work in going through one of the AI skills hub courses so you don't have to. And it's exactly as we all assumed it would be.
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Andrew Cherry @kolektiv.xyncro.com · 28/01/2026
I think I might take one of these "under 20 minutes" AI skills courses the UK Govt. seems very keen on everyone doing and live-post it here... Maybe we can all learn something together! The press release sends me to aiskillshub.org.uk/aiskillsboost/ - let's go and see!
aiskillshub.org.uk
AI Skills Boost - AI Skills Hub
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Rachel Coldicutt @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
I would say this findings shows women are more AI literate than men, because the majority of non-magical beings have no innate ability to "judge truthfulness"
Skills levels vary considerably across demographics, with women less likely than men to feel confident using Al at work (16% vs 26%), [tootnote 7 and uptake of Al training differing by sector. For instance, among those who have heard of Al, 34% of men feel confident in their ability to judge the truthfulness of Al outputs compared to 21% of women, and women are less
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Maria Farrell @mariafarrell.eurosky.social · 20/01/2026
social media bans are not the solution to toxic tech platforms and they hurt the most vulnerable kids lgbtqia kids are NOT acceptable collateral damage to stop these companies, kill their toxic business model at source (e.g. Netherlands just required non-algo feeds) everything else is theatre.
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Sarah Turner @thepublicturner.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
It might sound technical but...I have taught 10-year olds to use this process. You can definitely do it! And should.
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evacide @evacide.bsky.social · 16/01/2026
Trying to protect everything from everyone all the time is a good way to drive yourself crazy. This is why we threat model. Here is EFF's Surveillance Self Defense guide to putting together your security plan, also known as threat modeling: ssd.eff.org/module/your-...
ssd.eff.org
Your Security Plan
Trying to protect all your data from everything all the time is impractical and exhausting. But, have no fear! Security is a process, and through thoughtful planning, you can put together a plan that’...
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Electronic Frontier Foundation @eff.org · 15/01/2026
What creepy nonsense are companies up to when they have to guess your age or take your ID for AV? www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
eff.org
So, You’ve Hit an Age Gate. What Now?
This blog also appears in our Age Verification Resource Hub: our one-stop shop for users seeking to understand what age-gating laws actually do, what’s at stake, how to protect yourself, and why EFF
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Ian Coldwater 🧊🚫 @lookitup.baby · 15/01/2026
Your super hardcore technical advice is great and if people can't use it, it's not useful. You have to meet people where they are on the ground
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Mike Masnick @masnick.com · 15/01/2026
Okay, wait, but someone told Grok to put a bikini on the Bluesky logo... and Bluesky folks... made it their pfp. And then... the bio:
Bluesky's post followed by someone saying "grok put a bikini on this butterfly" and Grok doing so.Bluesky account with the pfp being the Bluesky butterfly logo in a bikini. Bio says: "Profile picture created by Grok without our consent."
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Tech Policy Press @techpolicypress.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Our tracker of regulatory responses to the Grok/X 'undressing' disaster is updated with statements from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta that the AG's office will open an investigation. Bonta: “We’ll use all tools at our disposal to keep Californians safe.”
techpolicy.press
Tracking Regulator Responses to the Grok 'Undressing' Controversy | TechPolicy.Press
Regulators around the world are responding by opening inquiries, demanding takedowns, and threatening legal action against Elon Musk's company.
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Eliot Higgins @eliothiggins.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
In parallel to this the government should also invest in community spaces for under 16s, unless you want kids on Roblox all day instead.
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George Eaton @georgeeaton.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Has there ever been any poll showing the public this united? yougov.co.uk/technology/a...
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Marie Le Conte @youngvulgarian.marieleconte.com · 12/01/2026
think we should ban smartphones..............[does a dramatic little turn, twirls cape] for adults
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Paris Marx @parismarx.com · 18/07/2025
Silicon Valley’s alliance with Donald Trump was a mask off moment and showed the world we can’t depend on US tech companies. For the past few months, I’ve been trying to get off US tech and I put together a guide so you find alternatives too. I hope you find it helpful!
disconnect.blog
Getting off US tech: a guide
I’m in the process of dropping US tech services. Here’s how I did it, and options you should consider.
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Ben Williamson @benpatrickwill.bsky.social · 19/12/2025
Closing out my year with a journal editor shocker 🧵 Checking new manuscripts today I reviewed a paper attributing 2 papers to me I did not write. A daft thing for an author to do of course. But intrigued I web searched up one of the titles and that's when it got real weird...
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