AlgoRhythms

We’ve created a short list of some of the words which might come up during your conversations, or which are used in this resource. We do not recommend that you try to use these words to sound relevant! 

Algorithm – The way that an online service customises the information displayed for a specific user (i.e. what you see when you open an app)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) – Computer programs designed to perform tasks normally performed by humans, with the ability to learn and imitate human beings - specific types of AI, include LLM (Large Language Model) and Generative AI.

Avatar – An image used to represent a user online

Bingeing – Excessive consumption of content, e.g. a TV series, without the normal breaks or stopping cues

Brainrot - A slang term for the perceived loss of attention span and critical thinking skills caused by excessive, mindless consumption of low-quality online content. It also refers to the nonsensical, hyper-stimulating videos (like "skibidi toilet" or "rizz" memes) themselves.

Catfishing – Using a fake persona online, usually to befriend strangers

Clout – Status or influence online (“they did it for clout”)

Cyberbullying – The act of bullying in an online context

Deepfake – An image that has been altered to include someone else’s voice, face and/or body, often for malicious purposes

Doomscrolling – The compulsive act of reading and watching difficult or upsetting information over and over again without being able to stop

Echo Chamber – When someone mostly sees opinions which match and reinforce their own

Feed – A stream of information on the homepage of a social media platform

Filter – A modification added to change the appearance of an image, e.g. to disguise blemishes

Hashtag – the # symbol, added before a word to enable users to sort and search for posts on that topic. Alternatively used as a kind of exclamation mark in conversation

Influencer – A popular individual with a heavy social media presence

IRL – In Real Life

Livestreaming – Broadcasting in real time over social media

Meme – A funny image, phrase or short video that is circulated and referenced widely

Profile – A user-created overview of who someone is and what they wish to share online

Screentime – Term used to cover all activities done while watching or using a screen, including working

Selfie – A photo someone takes of themselves

Sexting – Exchanging sexually explicit content through a phone messaging app

Tag – Adding a person’s name to a photo or post in order to identify their interest or involvement

Trending – The most popular topics on a social media platform

Troll – An internet user who makes bullying or controversial statements online in order to provoke reactions

Viral – Videos or posts which spread rapidly across one or more platforms

Words change over time, and sometimes quite rapidly; we’ll aim to keep this list updated.

• Youthscape Podcast – Youthscape have had a number of helpful discussions with issues including the proposed ban in the UK, the Australian ban, digital re-wiring and much more. Topics are clear in the episode descriptions - The Youthscape Podcast | Youthscape
• E-wellbeing Youth Podcast: ‘The youth podcast on all things mental health,
  providing young people with tips, ideas and easily accessible support for their mental health and wellbeing. To find out more, go to e-wellbeing.co.uk’ [The e-wellbeing Youth Podcast | Podcast on Spotify]
• YoungMinds Podcast: Honest conversations with young people that shed light on the challenges and triumphs of navigating mental health, getting support and finding joy along the way. [What's On YoungMinds? | Podcast on Spotify]

• ‘Digital Detox Journal’ by Jess Masters-Carrer & Tom Clark. Life is full of distractions—notifications, messages, and the never-ending scroll. This devotional is a chance to step away, put your phone down, and spend real time with God. So grab a pen, take a breath, and dive in. You might be surprised what happens when you unplug and tune in. [Youth Digital Detox Journal - Box of 150 ]
• Be Still reflective resource: Be Still is designed to give young people the tools to build silence into their daily routine and to help them create space in their day to hear from God. Be Still is designed to give young people the tools to build silence into their daily routine and to help them create space in their day to hear from God. [Be Still | Youthscape]
• Smartphone Free Childhood: Smartphone Free Childhood is a movement of families standing together to delay smartphones and social media – turning isolation into collective strength. [www.smartphonefreechildhood.org]
• NSPCC Website: The NSPCC have an area on their website dedicated to keeping children safe online. It contains information, advice and tools for families and those that work with YP [https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/ ]

• Forest: Gamifies focus by letting users plant a virtual tree that grows only while they stay off their phone.
• Finch (Self-Care Widget): Explicitly highlighted by Internet Matters, this app gamifies daily habits. Users take care of a virtual pet by completing real-world tasks, mindful breathing exercises, and taking structured breaks from scrolling.
• OurPact: Allows scheduling and blocking of apps to create clear screen-free routines.  A collaborative approach to help young people budget their designated hours independently throughout the day.

• Generation Alpha – McCrindle: We’re talking about Generation Alpha, the children of Generation Y, and often the younger siblings of Generation Z. Simply put, Generation Alpha are defined as those born from 2010-2024. More than 2.8 million are born globally every week. When they have all been born (2025) they will number almost 2 billion – the largest generation in the history of the world. [Understanding Generation Alpha - McCrindle]
• An Anxious Generation – Jonathan Haidt: From New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Coddling of the American Mind, an essential investigation into the collapse of youth mental health-and a plan for a healthier, freer childhood. [The Anxious Generation Out Now. Order the Book.]

If a young person indicates or requests further assistance with reaching a definitive practice which they can take away with them, here are some guidelines on how you can support them in creating one.

It is likely that after using the discussion and scaling tools, there is already a good understanding of what kind of practice the young person might be looking for.

A ‘Rest’ practice might be ‘For the next 7 days, each time I walk somewhere, I will notice 3 things that encourage me to wonder.’ A ‘Relationship’ practice might be ‘For the next week, I will have 1 face-to-face conversation each day that lasts at least 5 minutes.’

A printable document can be downloaded below, which may help some participants. 

• Awareness: This will usually come through conversation – becoming aware of what could change for that young person to gain something positive.
• Priorities: Give opportunity for the young person to explain why they might want to try a new practice, and what they want from it.
• Ownership: Explore together what it might look like to use this new practice each day, and allow them to write it down
• Realistic: Talk through practicalities – are they confident it is achievable? If not is there a tweak that can be made? 
• Experimentation: Ask the young person how long they’d like to try this new practice.
• Reflection: After the chosen period of time, check-in about how it went. What was helpful? What was challenging? Could it be changed and tried again? 

Awareness: “We talked about rest. My head always feels busy, like it won’t switch off and it makes me feel anxious.” 

Priorities: “I want to try something to help me feel less anxious.” 

Ownership: “I could try and not use my phone before I go to sleep.”

Realistic: “Maybe I can start small and start by turning it off half an hour before I want to sleep.”

Experimentation: “I’ll try it for a week. I’ll start tomorrow and tell you how it went next week.”

Reflection: “I found it really difficult, but I think it helped. I’d like to try again.”