Internet Addictions, Music Festival Safety, what's on locally

First show for 2015 - It is great to be back and I can't wait to share with you all the amazing guests and interviews we have lined up for 2015. Today our guests are Rebecca Baldwin and Simon Asquith. They shared valuable insight and experience into the world of digital technology and addiction and music festivals

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Guests details

Simon Asquith, is a musician and sound engineer  who would have once labelled himself as "anti- technology " and a technophobe.  After being the last person on earth to own a computer and mobile phone - now finds himself 2 years into a career of technical support and tuition specialising in supporting those that struggle with technology and social media. If you want to connect with Simon or get a session with him then email him at simon@simonasquith.com

Rebecca Baldwin is a web designer and co-Director of Real Media Real Change an organisation that explores the effects of the media in our lives, She currently lives and works in Northern NSW

http://rebeccabaldwincreative.com/

I have been travelling this past month and the biggest revelation I had was related to my relationship with my phone and computer - in fact digital technology in general. We had no access to internet and I forgot that my phone wouldn't work. I have to admit initially I felt very lost. I didn't know what to do with myself when I was just sitting and waiting for things or people (aka bored). I was much more aware that I couldn't understand signs and didn't have any access to google translate, I couldn't use google maps...I couldn't see what was going on in my networks...what was the world coming to!... I had withdrawal symptoms. I was feeling anxious about not having a connection, why did I feel lost not having my phone in my hand?

I was detoxing!

It was there - plain and simple for me to see, I had succumbed to....an internet addiction. 

Something quite extraordinary happened when I disconnected from the digital world and re-connected with me...I started to engage with what was going on around me...family, friends local people, smells, tastes. I saw, heard and was aware of so much more happening around me. It was overwhelming and amazing at the same time. I missed my technology but I was loving this world I was back engaging in!

There are dangers hidden in the world of free wifi when the impulse to search for it comes from a NEED. All of a sudden we are less discerning about its T&C's and safety just to satisfy the pull to see what is happening and dull our FOMO.

Don't sign up for Wifi without being discerning about its validity

Apple's Terms and Conditions 
longer than the Magna Carta!

Local Youth Centres

A.W.O.L Youth Hub (Gordon Youth Centre)
Monday-Friday 3.30pm-6.30pm
799 Pacific Highway, Gordon
Facilities and equipment: Fusball, ping pong, PS3, computers, DVDs, Music, iPod cables for stereo, TV
Resources: Info on drugs, alcohol, sexual health, legal aid, employment, careers and more

Ku-ring-gai Youth Services have a holiday club from 12-4pm most days at AWOL see below for contact and more information.

The Dungeon (Turramurra Youth Centre)
Open specific hours
5 Ray Street, Turramurra
Resources: Info on drugs, alcohol, sexual health, legal aid, employment, careers and more

The Fitz Youth Centre
Fridays 3.30-8pm (closed during holidays
Off Memorial Avenue, St Ives
Facilities and equipment: Music recording and Production Studio, PA System, Playstation, pool table, table tennis, skate park

For more information on any of the above centres please contact:
youth@kmc.gov.au   9424 0837

Useful websites:

http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/community/community-services/youth-services

http://youthsource.com.au/

Who reads T&C before they sign up for free wifi?

Appreciation goes out to the people who read Terms and Conditions and bring our attention to things we should know - hopefully we won't hand away our first borns like they did in a UK experiment with the Herod Clause!

Music Festivals

Music festivals have always been full of people experimenting with alcohol and drugs but that creates a space which can sometimes be full of unpredictable behaviour

Simon brought experience of working at a great many music festivals both as a musician, an organiser, a soundie and a barman. He brought first hand insight of working at these events and made us think beyond the sensational headlines.

Rebecca brought the experience of a partygoer at these events giving us a first hand account of life during and beyond the pull of the party. Again, being on the 'other side' of that pull now means Rebecca is able to look back wisely at the decisions she made and a little insight as to why.

Top Tips for keeping yourself safe

• Be aware of your environment
• When you feel uncomfortable it is most likely time to move
• Look after yourself and your friends
• Be conscious of what is going on around you
• Have a plan for if you get separated from your friends
• Have a plan to get home
• Consider saying no