By Rob, founder of Kindaba.

I’ve been reading a lot about Facebook and Cambridge Analytica and this is typical:

Christopher Wylie, who worked with a Cambridge University academic to obtain the data, told the Observer: “We exploited Facebook to harvest millions of people’s profiles. And built models to exploit what we knew about them and target their inner demons. That was the basis the entire company was built on.” Carole Cadwalladr and Emma Graham-Harrison The Guardian

Reaction to these revelations has been filling our newsfeeds and we’ve seen headlines like:

Calling this a data breach misses the point. Every time we see this called a ‘breach’ or a ‘leak’ the central issue is ignored and this matters. As Facebook’s Chief of Security said, it wasn’t a data breach.

He’s right, it wasn’t.

We’ve got the story all wrong. We need to rewrite the story before business returns to usual.

The use of personal information taken without authorisation was a result of policy. Cambridge Analytica failed to follow policy. Facebook failed to adequately and timely enforce that policy. What’s even worse, is that Facebook chose not to take the violation seriously, refusing to take trust-building action at the time, sitting on the knowledge of the violation for 2 years.

Read more here.

Facebook chose not to act. That’s the issue. It’s not a technical one. It’s a matter of policy and prioritisation.

For Facebook, and other advertisers that profit from users’ detailed data, the more complete the user data, the greater the value. It comes as no surprise that this detailed personal data is their most valuable commodity. How else can you make money? Anyone can have access to a huge amount of data about you through Facebook. Trusting these companies not to misuse that data is not a good enough response. Expecting them to do better is not realistic.

We’re looking at it all wrong.

Facebook has intimate knowledge about you because that is their business. It’s literally their entire business model. Facebook’s average revenue per user was $20.21 last year. Considering the sheer size of their user base — over 2 billion people — that is astronomical. If we continue to refer to this as a ‘breach’ or a ‘leak’ we are painting the picture that Facebook can, should and will change and improve their protection of their user’s data. All this does is showcases a do-nothing approach to issues that fundamentally impact a company’s bottom line, and underestimates the degree to which this data can be profited from. Instead, we have to talk about the way these companies do business. If you tell Facebook to do X or Y but it negatively effects their $20.21 average revenue per user, it’s never in their interest to change.

Expecting a company to delete highly valued data, and claiming their refusal to do so is the root cause of concern, is misunderstanding the central issue — it’s their business model that is flawed. That, or they’re in desperate need of regulation.

Many of my friends say, “I don’t worry about Facebook because I don’t use it that much.”

It doesn’t matter that you’re not using Facebook everyday. They are still using you.

Pixel tracking and a widespread ad network mean your activities are tracked. Just because you aren’t telling Facebook anything about you doesn’t mean they don’t know.

Facebook’s problem has never been the technology. It’s been their deliberate confusion of privacy controls, and their lack of prioritisation of privacy protection. Their business model relies on it. They don’t have a business need to be more in control of who has what kind of access to their data. Until their business model changes, our data is still everyone’s business.

Rob is the CEO and founder of Kindaba🎈. Kindaba is a private sharing space for your family, and a social impact company. Currently in invitation-only beta🐛, check out more information about what we’re working on here, and write to us to be added to our testing group here💌.

We all use social networks or communications tools to share updates, plans and milestones with family. But privacy-conscious parents lack confidence in mainstream social networks and how they handle our sensitive data.

Sharing authentic, private and family-relevant updates should be fun, simple and easy.

With Kindaba, you can share photos, videos and updates of your kids activities with those that matter most. All private, and protected. Kindaba isn’t a mainstream social network:

• You can’t be found on Kindaba
• You don’t get ads
• We don’t sell any of your data

We value our privacy and after 100s of interviews we know that there are many who still believe that privacy is important, especially when it comes to kids. Check out our Blog: Privacy, Why is it Important?

Our birthday story 🎂

I’ve always wanted my family to be more connected. I’d set up shared google drive accounts, make a family Slack team, even toyed with the idea of getting everyone a google apps subscription so we could have one place to store our memories. None of it worked! My family is spread all over the world and we’re all pretty privacy conscious. A few years ago, something weird started happening: it seemed like everyone started procreating🐣. Every few months it seemed, there was a new cousin popping up and we all were trying to find a way to stay connected.

What we wanted sounded simple: We wanted our own version of Facebook that was super simple and absolutely private. We didn’t want any ads, and we wanted it to be easy enough for Caroline and Alan (my parents) to use.

After about 18 months of trying everything under the sun ☀️ and asking others what they used, we realised there was a common pain point. So we set out to solve it for everyone.

The result is Kindaba — we’re at the MVP stage right now and are looking for as much feedback as we can get. It doesn’t do everything we want it to do yet, and we’re working on it all the time, but are excited about how it’s gone so far, and, crucially Alan & Caroline think it’s ’not bad’. High praise indeed 😎

From baby journals, to toddler-friendly family messenger, to a private social network. We have high hopes for Kindaba, and we’re looking to you for advice and feedback.

We’re building a community

We’re a group of daughters, sons, cousins, and parents passionate about creating a space where all family members can feel confident and engaged sharing with each other. Our Kindaba Families are an incredible group:

A private, respectful, community where parents connect and learn

• Learn about fun apps for your family
• Swap stories of life hacks with kids
• Stay up to date with being safe online, especially for your kids
• Support one another in our journeys through modern parenthood

We love to help families connect and often share on the topic through our Blog: How to Build a Long Distance Relationship with your Grandchildren.

Kindaba in Action

Think of Kindaba like your private Instagram feed with your family. Instead of sharing publically or having to choose a private stream, you can simply choose the privacy settings for each post, all from the list of people that you have invited to follow your family. Our Kindaba Families keep in touch with aunts, cousins, siblings who live all over the world.

Here’s how:

• Get Started through our Early Adopters page
• Download Kindaba on your appstore
• Tap, Create a Household
• Follow the steps to create your Kindaba Account
• Complete your account by inviting your family by email (invitation link coming soon)

We created Kindaba, not to add to the noise, but to help you simplify life. We know that family time is precious and are creating a tool to maintain those precious family connections when it may not be possible to often be together in person. I want to invite you to join our community to share and create content to celebrate with your family.

Kindaba is available on iOS and Android with tablet and webviews coming soon. We’d love to hear your thoughts, requests and feedback. You can catch me directly on rob@kindaba.com

Robert Gelb
CEO and Founder, Kindaba

Two days ago, Facebook announced Messenger for Kids. Overnight, #kindmas was replaced by #esafety as debate ensued.

No surprise that as a founder of a startup supporting families to connect in a private and safe online environment, I have my views. It’s been really interesting watching the reaction from parents, interest groups, the Health Secretary and more.

In all seriousness, there’s a lot to unpick here.

Firstly, from a privacy-conscious standpoint, this is good news. Hear me out! Facebook Messenger for Kids — a COPPA compliant way for kids to message with friends and family. Congress passed the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, COPPA, back in 1998, ruling that children under the age of 13 can’t share their personal information without a parent’s consent. The cost of complying with COPPA is so high that most social sites prohibit under-13s from signing up. COPPA’s one reason why you’re not supposed to use Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Musica.ly and other services unless you are over that age.

Granted, we shouldn’t pat Facebook on the back for following the law. At the very least, it presents the product in a more trustworthy light, drawing attention to COPPA as a directive that Facebook have worked with from the beginning of this development process. Anytime a mainstream social media giant takes an active step to highlight privacy and indicate its importance, the better. Facebook is a giant of the internet, and we should always be encouraging them to talk the right talk. And then holding them to account on walking the right walk.

Amongst all the noise and debate surrounding the news, it’s useful to separate what was announced from who did the announcing. A kids messenger is nothing new. There are already apps like Maily, Monster Messenger, and new kids on the block (I do love a wee pun) like our team at Kindaba who are developing our own kids experience (coming next year!).

The issue is the lack of trust consumers have for the source.

Facebook is fundamentally an advertising platform. If we’re being charitable, it could make sense that Facebook would want to get to know you as much as they can so they can deliver relevant ads. But this breaks down when you start to think through what that means. WhatsApp conversations trigger friend suggestions, browsing habits direct you to highly targeted products, or worse, propaganda from foreign governments. The issue is the transparency in what’s done with that data. It’s about trust.

This distrust may be warranted. Facebook’s own privacy policy specifically for Messenger Kids outlines:

It’s clear that a key aspect (or benefit if you’re Facebook) is getting more data for their suggestion engine, which of course will include things like sticker packs and effects that you could pay for.

For some parents, the requirement to create your child’s account with their real name rather than a nickname, causes concern.

“Parents and guardians of other children on Messenger Kids. Your child’s name and your relationship to the child whose account you set up will be visible to your friends who also have Messenger Kids accounts for their children.”

You may accept that this data mining and sharing is part and parcel of being active in the digital age. It’s a decision that we, as adults, make daily if we mindlessly tick T&C boxes. But when the privacy of our children is concerned, are people willing to accept the consequences?

Facebook has incredible talent, technology, resources, and power to develop transformative products that are fun to use. I’m sure their Kids Messenger will be super fun and engaging. That’s what digital products are designed to do — — keep you engaged. But at what cost?

At Kindaba, we’re committed to privacy-focused features and tools that help you celebrate what happens offline with those who can’t be with you in person. We’re not looking for more ways to add noise, but rather are designing deliberate interactions that make families closer.

I wish Facebook well in their tool. If Messenger for Kids can have the knock-on effect of people taking more interest in their own privacy and how they and their family engage online, it will help us all advance.

It won’t be for everyone, and for those who are interested in a private, ad-free, no data selling alternative, then check us out. Everyone’s different. Our lines in the sand, when it comes to privacy, are different. Our families are different. But there’s always opportunity to grow and help each other become more empowered and supported online. I’d love to hear your thoughts — let me know what you think: rob@kindaba.com.

Rob is the CEO and founder of Kindaba🎈. Kindaba is a private sharing space for your family, and a social impact company. Currently in invitation-only beta🐛, check out more information about what we’re working on here, and write to us to be added to our testing group here💌.

Kindaba is a private social network for your family. A place for you to share, discuss, create, plan, and organise things with those that matter. All private, and protected.

Check out our other posts here.

Technology is everywhere. The future sci-fi predicted if is here. We can turn lights on in our homes when we’re away, order food to our doors without actually speaking to anyone and get entertainment from the comfort of our beds, spending time outdoors can seem more of a chore than enjoyment. After all, why would we walk to the supermarket when it can be conveniently delivered right to us?

While technological advances have provided us with so many benefits, we are now often missing out on Vitamin Nature, which can maybe provide the best benefits. We’re often told how good the outdoors are for us, but that’s pretty hard to believe when the rain is running down the window, isn’t it? We’ve got our top 5 benefits, backed up by good old science, that the outdoors can give you in the hope that we can encourage ourselves and our families to get outside more!

Improves those little eyes

Particularly in children, outdoor activity can help build up a protective effect on eyes which in turn helps to prevent nearsightedness otherwise known as myopia. In a study based in Taiwan, two schools with prevalent myopia were compared when one encouraged more outdoor activity and the other remained the same. Results showed that symptoms of nearsightedness significantly dropped with outdoor activity increased. Similarly, in an Australian study, 2000 schoolchildren were observed over two years and lower statistics of myopia were associated with those 12 year olds who spent more time outside. This remained the same when compared to children who played indoor sports, suggesting that the outdoors aspect had more impact than the physical activity.

Helps short term memory

All of us forget where we put our keys or what we had for lunch, and perhaps spending some time outside walking might make this happen a little less. The University of Michigan conducted a study where two groups of students were given a memory test. Group 1 went for a walk through some trees and Group 2 took a stroll through the city instead. When they both returned, they retook the test and those in Group 1 improved by approximately 20% whereas Group 2 did not consistently improve. Next time you play that game where you have to remember everything on the table, maybe get a breath of fresh air first!

Ignites the creative spark and improves sharper thinking

Studies where people were encouraged to spend more time in nature of four days, spending more time outside than their walk to work, found their performance on creative thinking to improve. There is also evidence to suggest that concentration improves in children with ADHD and that they were seen to have fewer symptoms when they spent more time with outside activities than their indoor counterparts. When your brain is feeling fuzzy, try some outside time and see if you feel the improvements in your creativity and productivity.

Gives the immune system a much needed boost

This area is in the preliminary phase of study but there have been promising results suggesting nature may stimulate the body to produce more anti-cancer proteins. This is also indicative of an overall boost to the immune system to help us fight off those less serious illnesses such as the common cold. Maybe we shouldn’t be so scared of mud after all!

Improvements to our mental health

It is known that the outdoors can reduce stress which is perhaps why it has such a positive effect on our overall mental health. Spending time outside is said to improve self esteem and mood with those with poor mental health having the greatest improvements. Scents of certain flowers like jasmine and lilacs are proven to decrease stress and the scent of pine is believed to lower depression and anxiety symptoms.

The rain might be pouring down but sometimes it’s worth grabbing those rain coats and wellies and going for a splash in the puddles. While you might be a bit wet afterwards, you will hopefully feel fresher and more alert which makes for a great start to the day!

Become part of the Kindaba family! Help us make Kindaba your gathering place. We’ve opened Kindaba to our next 1000 testers — people who are passionate about family and who love to give feedback. Want to make a difference? Join our team and earn rewards for you and your family at Kindaba.

Written by Alice Dobie, intern and Blogging Wizard of Kindaba. Alice is known for her pancake breakfasts, questionable music taste and her love for helping people face their challenges.

Kindaba is the private social network for your family. A place for you to share, discuss, create, plan, and organise things with those that matter. All private, and protected.

We are expanding Education, Employment, and Empowerment with technology and we share content to help you feel comfortable in your use of all things technical.

Kindaba’s Favourites Series takes a look at the products that we use internally and talk about how we use them. We believe awesome products can effectively contribute to the world’s technical literacy so that you use technology to make your life easier! Plus, we’re fangirls and boys of lots of cool stuff.

AIRTABLE

Airtable is one of our favourite tools here at Kindaba. We use Airtable as our main organisational platform where all our ideas are documented, condensed and linked. It’s the place where we list our blog post ideas, plan marketing campaigns, store contacts and document product tasks and updates. Think of a filing cabinet that’s online and links your data effortlessly with colour coding and categories. Wondering how you can use Airtable for yourself? Well, let me show you around.

What is it?

Airtable describe themselves as “Spreadsheet, meet database” where you can “organise anything, with anyone, from anywhere.” And that is exactly what you can do.

Airtable is designed to make databases easy to use for all those non-programmers out there, like myself. Databases are often criticised because the user requires a knowledge of SQL (Structured Query Language) to communicate with the database. Not the dream, right? Airtable takes away that problem! It is easy to use for everyone from businesses to individuals for whatever you want.

A key aspect of Airtable is its relational database characteristic. This simply means that the database while storing data will also store relationships between data and can be used to answer any questions you might have! Struggling to combine all your data and identify trends and links? Never again.

Airtable is different.

Any cool features?

1. Bases Templates. Bases are the place where all the data for any given project is stored. They are literally the bases for your project where you can build up from. While you can start from a blank canvas, Airtable also has super handy templates from Ad Campaigns to Novel Planning to Pet Medical History — it is literally for anyone. There is also a Quick Bases Search hit [ctrl K] and find any base you’re looking for instantly
2. Tables. Each base can be split into tables so that all your information for a project can be further split into categories and hold all this relevant information in different places but yet still actually in the same place. Still with me? Say your base is name ‘Pet Medical History,’ for your labrador Alfie, you could then have tables for ‘Vaccinations,’ ‘Medication,’ and ‘Appointments.’ The possibilities are endless yet all the while you remain organised with all information at your fingertips.
3. Fields. Imagining grass with cows and sheep? Not exactly. Fields in Airtable are the individual columns in your table. It is designed to bring consistency to all the data you’re putting in there so that it’s as clear as possible for your use. Each field has a name and can be customised so that it holds a whole bunch of data in a variety of different ways such as colour coordinated categories! So going back to our ‘Pet Medical History’ example, with ‘Medication’ you could have a variety of fields from ‘Data Assigned,’ ‘Medication Requirements’ and ‘Illness.’
4. Records. These are the horizontal rows in the database which encompass all the information for a given example. While fields are essentially groups, records combine these groups for specific example. Going back to our labrador Alfie’s ‘Pet Medical History,’ say you wanted to find the date, illness and requirements for a specific medication, looking along the record will show the data in one place for this example. Also, records in one table can have a relationship with another table. Simply add a link such as linking employees to department, expand the record and all this info will be in one place.
5. Views. Ready for all your tables to be transformed? Change the view and watch the magic. Views are different ways to see the data that is in a table which can be useful for seeing records which fit a certain criteria such as the Calendar view or the Gallery view which is basically large cards that could show all the data for each of your pet’s medication for example.
6. Emojis. Want to jazz up your boring database? Add in emojis simply by copying and pasting! You can literally check off tasks by adding in the green tick emoji.

We are constantly evaluating our use of tools and honing our efficiency and team-working. Got any tips, write to us at hello@kindaba.com and let us know.

Become part of the Kindaba family! We’re a group of parents, cousins, siblings and children, and we’re building the private social network for your family. Become part of the Kindaba family! Help us make Kindaba your gathering place. We’ve opened Kindaba to our next 1000 testers — people who are passionate about family and who love to give feedback. Try Kindaba

Written by Alice Dobie, intern and Blogging Wizard of Kindaba. Alice is known for her pancake breakfasts, questionable music taste and her love for helping people face their challenges.

Kindaba is the private social network for your family. A place for you to share, discuss, create, plan, and organise things with those that matter. All private, and protected. Kindaba’s Privacy 101 series provides you with simple guides to make your social media accounts and products you use everyday, as secure and private as you want them to be.

“Are you on WhatsApp?”

It’s a question that’s become synonymous with quickly and simply texting with someone, regardless of where they’re from. WhatsApp started as an easy way for people to send texts without paying international fees — which was way better than the SMS that comes with your phone. In the 7 years it’s been around, WhatsApp usage has exploded and much of its success is down to its simplicity.

WhatsApp has been so successful that people have started using it for more than just texting. WhatsApp groups are easy to create, letting you know who’s going to receive your message and even when they see it.

It’s not a social network, but some people like to use it like one.

Generally, you will only have people you actually know on Whatsapp because you don’t just give your phone number out to random people, right? On the other hand, how many Facebook friends do you have who you really know and keep up with?

While direct messaging through WhatsApp is more private than a social network, with public profiles and posts, there are still risks to be aware of.

Take these 4 easy steps to make your Whatsapp more private

1. End-to-end Encryption

What is this meant to mean? While sounding super techy and complicated, this is actually the easiest step because you don’t have to do anything!

End-to-end encryption simply means that third parties can’t read or listen to any of your messages and the best part? It’s all automatic so you don’t have to touch a thing to enable this feature but it’s good to be aware of it

2. Basic Privacy Settings

While Whatsapp doesn’t have things like ‘profiles’ and ‘friends,’ like Facebook, there are still certain things that can be displayed publically to anyone. Specifically, Read Receipts (when someone has read your message or you theirs), Last Seen (when you were last online), Profile Photo (your account photo) and Status (small line of text that you can customise on your account).

The default setting on Whatsapp is to allow anyone to view your status. To change this head to Settings > Account > Privacy

Here you will see the above options. You can choose to select Everyone, My Contacts or Nobody, each of which is a different level of privacy. You should be aware that if you don’t share Last Seen, then you won’t see anyone else’s Last Seen either. Also, even if you turn off Read Receipts, they will still be sent within any group chats.

3. Advanced Privacy Settings

Whatsapp works by connecting people through identifying their phone numbers. However, phones can be stolen and so can sim cards (the cards in phones which hold the phone number) so it is important to be aware that on the rare occasion you might not be talking to who you think you are. This might sound scary but there is an easy way to make sure this doesn’t happen to you.

Check out Settings > Account > Security > Show Security Notifications (turn on)

This will notify you whenever a Whatsapp contact changes phone so you can double check with friends if they have lost their phone or not.

4. Super Advanced Privacy Settings

Have you already got those basic settings sorted, or maybe privacy is a big deal for you?

We have you covered. Whatsapp has an extra layer of privacy which can be enabled.

First up, make sure Whatsapp has access to your camera. Go to Settings (on your phone not the app) > Find Whatsapp > Allow camera access

Second, make sure you are face to face with a friend that you want to enable this extra encryption with.

Open contact chat in Whatsapp > Click name at top for Contact Info > Encryption Option (blue padlock) > Click Scan Code > Scan friend’s QR code
A QR code is another way of authenticating, it looks like a bar code and works like a pin number, username or password. It is an extra layer of privacy so that you can be confident in who they are (because you’re physically sitting with them) so you know you can communicate safely!

Be aware that new updates can change privacy settings and rules so, if you are concerned with privacy, it is worth keeping up with these changes and analysing each new update.

Keep your content and your family safe by tightening up your security settings so that everyone can enjoy the web safely. If you are looking for a secure network to share family content with those closest to you try Kindaba. We’re a group of parents, cousins, siblings and children, and we’re building a private space for families online. Try us out — sign up now for free.

Written by Alice Dobie, intern and Blogging Wizard of Kindaba. Alice is known for her pancake breakfasts, questionable music taste and her love for helping people face their challenges.

Kindaba is the private social network for your family. A place for you to share, discuss, create, plan, and organise things with those that matter. All private, and protected.

Check out our other posts here.

Have you ever read an article about parenting techniques and scrolled to the comments section? Or read the comments on a social media post from a celebrity and their baby? Everyone has something to say. The comments range from supportive to negative and sometimes cruel. This behaviour has come to be known as ‘Mummy Wars.’

Mummy Wars are the raging battles between different approaches to parenting. This is prevalent on social media where sleep deprived and irritable adults, are observed acting as keyboard soldiers doing battle.

Where’s the Line?

How do you walk the line between offering support and reassurance and proffering unwanted advice? While some people just want to share what’s worked for them in case it can be a useful tool in your toolbox, others become virulent about one method over another.

Let’s face it. Parenting, motherhood and fatherhood is hard. It’s a learning curve. It happens overnight, we make mistakes and we do what we can in any given moment. So why the Mummy Wars phenomenon?

What makes us prone to this behaviour?

Check out The Conversation which discusses why it is time to call it quits on Mummy Wars. Here they discuss ‘mother guilt’ and the role of Evolutionary Theory. It argues that in early motherhood, there is a combination of guilt and shame where mothers are left to feel unworthy and disliked which creates an environment where conflict can breed.

Evolutionary Theory argues that the feeling of guilt is what gives us the capacity to be caregivers. It discourages us from harming others. The feeling of shame is how we respond to social threat. Whilst social threat used to be a physical threat, now it takes the shape of social rejection.

This is clear with Mummy Wars where shame is a mechanism for concealing submissive or aggressive behaviour. Therefore, “so-called mummy wars are not only the result of our evolved instinctual response to shame but also a breeding ground in which fresh shaming experiences are created.” This sounds like a perfect recipe for a vicious circle.

When we embark on the journey of being a parent, we know there’s so much to learn. In evolutionary terms we’re faced by social threats and we may rely on shaming ourselves or others in an attempt to protect ourselves. Perhaps, understanding the Evolutionary Theory we can have a better appreciation of why we, or other people in our circles, may exhibit these behaviours. Through understanding, we can reach empathy.

But is failing to comment, to judge, really the best reaction?

There’s no doubt that the rhetoric around Mummy Wars revolves around the concept of judgement. This is a fundamental and unavoidable aspect of human interactions. On a daily basis, we draw conclusions, form opinions and share different information which builds our perception of our reality.

In the article entitled “‘Mommy wars’ are the patriarchy’s latest attempt to control women”, Kim Lock argues that calling an end to judgement is unfeasible, it’s part of being human. Lock outlines the concept of mummy wars as the creation of the patriarchy, acting as another way to silence the uncensored support and opinion of new parents.

“Pregnancy and early motherhood can be a time of intense vulnerability. But this is not because women are feeble and hysterical — it’s because they’re conditioned to believe they are inadequate. Stigma, rules and control through shame surround almost every aspect of a woman’s reproductive life: conception, pregnancy, birth and early motherhood are rife with “should’s” and “should nots”.” — Kim Lock, The Guardian 2015

Perhaps the point is that while judgement is natural, it is what we do with it that counts.

What would internet forums, comments sections and viral posts look like if they were filled with support, vulnerability and suggestions rather then vitriolic ‘shoulds’? And more importantly, how would parents feel, and act having been supported and empowered? What would our children’s outlook be if they had this as an example?

At Kindaba, we listen to a lot of parents. Some find support and comfort in their online communities whilst others have chosen to disconnect, and step back because of their experiences. What we know for sure, if that everyone needs a support network. Whether your family and close circle are near or far, we’re creating the private social network for you to plan, share and support through life’s journey.

Become part of the Kindaba family! Help us make Kindaba your gathering place. We’ve opened Kindaba to our next 1000 testers — people who are passionate about family and who love to give feedback. Want to make a difference? Join our team at Kindaba.

Written by Alice Dobie, intern and Blogging Wizard of Kindaba. Alice is known for her pancake breakfasts, questionable music taste and her love for helping people face their challenges.

Kindaba is a private social network for your family. A place for you to share, discuss, create, plan, and organise things with those that matter. All private, and protected.

Kindaba’s Privacy 101 series provides simple guides to make the social media accounts and products you use everyday, as secure and private as you want them to be.

“Everyone has the right to respect for [their] private and family life, [their] home and [their] correspondence.” Article 8 — Human Rights Act

56% of parents surveyed would not post images of their children. Are you part of the 56%?

I’m a millennial and a self-confessed social media lover — you know the ones, phone attached to thumb wherever I go! I am currently interning with Kindaba, a tech startup in Edinburgh who are building a solution for privacy conscious families. I love working to grow a tone and brand and a following but to be honest with you, myself and my friends weren’t really fussed about privacy, until now. I understood why online privacy would be important to some — if you’re a teacher and don’t want your pupils to access your content or if you wary of losing control of the pictures of your family that you post online. But it never really seemed relevant to me, where online privacy seemed such an alien concept. I’m starting to see things differently now.

Here at Kindaba, we want to make you aware of the risks associated with privacy and to provide with options to combat these risks if they do bother you. If you are happy with your privacy settings, great! If not, we hope you can gain some information from this article.

Gone are the times when you simply switched on your phone to gain access to your device. Now there’s an 8-digit pin and finger touch ID to get you in. No longer is Facebook simple to use with its multitude of categories that different people can be slotted into so that you can share with some and avoid others. Say goodbye to the days of simple computers without all the hassle of virus protection or the concern of phishing emails. Has privacy perhaps gone a bit over the top?

Well maybe. Maybe rightly so. Thanks to the Internet, privacy has taken on new meaning and new threats.

Related Post: What is Phishing?

The Privacy Discussion

Privacy is a constant topic of conversation in today’s society. It has always been popular as no one really wants anyone nosying into their business, do they? With the growth of the media, public figures such as celebrities and politicians were thrust into the spotlight more than ever and started discussions about their right to a private home-life away from cameras, and the general public.

Now, with the surge in Internet use and social media in particular, privacy has become an even more murky grey area. Accounts and devices connected to the online world have become a way to show exactly where we have been, what we are interested in and who we talk to. The weird thing about it? We have put all that information out there by choice! But would some of us change our habits, if we knew exactly how our data was being used?

Sharing all this information has caused widespread concern for our individual safety and our future. Our shared content may affect future job opportunities and relationships with our partners, children and friends. Beyond our personal relationships, are we comfortable with how third parties like the government and big businesses are using our data?

This all sounds like quite scary stuff and most people have probably had these concerns at some point but we love the Internet right? Does this really affect us? Will it really change how you share?

Related Post: Why Do We Share?

The Internet Privacy Paradox

The Internet itself was never designed to be super private, in fact it was the opposite. It was designed to allow open, uncensored research, not so bad. While this might be its initial aim, it simultaneously offers anonymity. People often behave on the Internet in a way that they wouldn’t in the real world. This is because they feel like they can’t be seen so behave in certain ways without worrying about the same consequences. Or so they think. How can we be truly private on a platform that was never intended to be private? How does this innate anonymity affect our privacy?

In a similar paradoxical way, some argue that while many of us are concerned about privacy, this doesn’t actually affect our Internet and social media use. When the Edward Snowden incident happened, there was public outcry at the way personal data was being used by governments, however, did we all rush to delete our accounts and throw our phones out the window? No. While privacy is a shared concern, this rarely converts into us all rushing to our computers to fit them with the latest privacy software.

Others argue, however, that this knowledge of surveillance does in fact affect us but perhaps on a more subtle level. While our click rate might not change, knowing there is the potential of surveillance causes us to self-censor and alter what we put out there and associate with. We avoid contacting and participating in things that might look bad even though they are totally innocent so our Freedom of Association and Assembly is compromised simply by the idea of surveillance.

The Importance of Privacy

Bare with me and my seriousness surrounding this subject. Why is privacy important then? If everyone can see our content, is there any point worrying? Well yes. On the more extreme end, privacy is a key component of a democratic society where individuals have the right “to choose, subject to demonstrably necessary and carefully tailored limits, what information they share with others.” Impinging this key component leads a nation down the slippery slope of rights in general. Denying privacy can lead to the restriction of other freedoms and rights such as equal treatment and free expression because the state has a more imposed and controlling position in our lives.

Okay, let’s take a breather. It’s not all doom and gloom from all these other worldly presences peering in on our lives. While these are the more extreme, they are also the more rare but it is important to be aware of how our data could be at risk.

On a lighter note, think about what you post on social media and who you have on social media. Do you really want all those people to see what you post? And also, do you really want to see everything they post? If someone just randomly walked into your house to have a nosy around, your reaction would probably be a mixture of shock and anger. But, by posting everything that happens in your life and home online you’re basically having an open house except everyone can snoop from the comfort of their own homes. I’m not trying to paint your neighbours in a bad light, we’re all nosy about what is happening in others’ lives and can’t help ourselves from scrolling through all those photos from the family holiday album.

Related Post: Risks of Posting Online while on Holiday.

Now, I’m more informed and, by speaking to people in different scenarios, I can see how my use of social media may change with time and circumstances. I get that this isn’t for everyone, like I said us millennials aren’t so concerned with privacy. But for those of you who are concerned about what I’ve just outlined, Kindaba is a real solution that will keep families connected, and I love that.

If you need some help to tighten up your privacy settings on various accounts, you can check out our Privacy 101 series here .

Keep your content and your family safe by tightening up your security settings so that everyone can enjoy the web safely. If you are looking for a secure network to share family content with those closest to you try Kindaba. We’re a group of parents, cousins, siblings and children, and we’re building a private space for families online.

Written by Alice Dobie, intern and Blogging Wizard of Kindaba. Alice is known for her pancake breakfasts, questionable music taste and her love for helping people face their challenges.

The summer holidays are filled with trips, holidays and adventures. Kindaba is a great way to plan your trips and share your memories with your family all over the world. Kindaba’s Edinburgh Festival Series provides you with our favourite shows, events and top tips to make sure you get the most out of your experience!

While I’m sure there is plenty to keep everyone occupied in Edinburgh during festival time, why not see the classic attractions while you’re there! Perhaps you want something a bit different or maybe this could be the perfect shelter from the rain that is likely to pelt down at some point. The Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is great for families with multiple ages with hands on exhibits and a whole range of optical illusions, there is something to keep everyone entertained. Stuck in the crowds on the Royal Mile? Fed up of the flyering? Just nip in here for something a bit different that can really get the imagination going!

Why The Camera Obscura can’t be missed!

With fantastic views of Edinburgh, a 4.5 star rating on Trip Advisor (based on 9676 reviews), a rich history AND five floors filled with a dazzling array of optical experiences that have been entertaining visitors since 1853, why wouldn’t you visit?

Climb up the tower with me and explore this enchanting treasure trove. First up, explore Edinburgh’s Vision through old, new and live photos of Edinburgh which can also be found in 3D! See how coke cans and sweet tins can be used to create pinhole cameras that take some pretty cool photos. If that wasn’t enough, check out the Morph Machine which can transform your face to look like a monkey or make you look 100 years old!

Next up, enter one of the largest hologram exhibitions in Europe on the Light Fantastic Floor. Watch out for some of the ‘horror-grams’ which include giant spiders and dinosaurs, look for the portrait gallery featuring the likes of Dracula and embrace science and nature!

Up the stairs we go to the Magic Gallery, the most popular floor. Filled with optical illusions from bendy mirrors to moving pictures to lightning, this floor has a treat or two.

Finally, we reach the main event — The Camera Obscura. See images of live Edinburgh projected onto a big viewing table through a giant periscope (read on to find out how it all works). Have some fun by picking people up, flicking them away and even moving traffic around!

Good with heights? Come up to the final floor and take in the breathtaking 360 degree views of Edinburgh’s Old and New towns and Edinburgh Castle itself. Have a shot on a free telescope and see what you can find in more detail.

Have a look at this youtube video if you want a more visual glance!

All things historical and technical

In 1776, Thomas Short built the ‘Gothic House’ to store all of his optical instruments and telescopes. He then began charging admission to those who visited to view them. As time went on, eventually Partrick Greddes bought the tower in 1892 and renamed it ‘Outlook Tower’ under the premise that he wanted to change people’s outlook. He used the Camera Obscura to show visitors “life” as a whole and show the relationship between the town and its surrounding countryside. Eventually it was sold by the University of Edinburgh to Visitor Centres Ltd. and became what it is now today.

Wondering how this mysterious Camera Obscura all works? The basic mechanics of the Camera are a cross between a periscope and a giant pinhole camera. The dark chamber holds a mirror at the top which reflects light downwards passing through three lenses before projecting the image onto the white viewing table below. Click here for some more in depth detail.

The Details

The tower is open daily from 9am-10pm at Castle Hill, Royal Mile, EH1 2ND. Look out for some bendy mirrors outside and you will know you’re in the right place. Due to the large number of stairs and the lack of lift, the building is not the most accessible. Visitors are welcome to leave buggies at reception as well as bulky bags and can be given a baby carrier. Those who have mobility issues can request a walking stick stool which may help them navigate the stairway. The exhibits are almost all visual, however, a printed version of the tour is available for those who are hard of hearing. There are also many hands on, interactive exhibits which may be fun of those with a vision impairment.

Call 0131 226 3709 for any enquiries.

Tickets: Adult (£15) Child 5–15 (£11) Concession — Student/Senior (£13)

Want more exclusive information, tips and tricks about Edinburgh’s Festivals this August?

Get your FREE Edinburgh Festival Guides here

Written by Alice Dobie, intern and Blogging Wizard of Kindaba. Alice is known for her pancake breakfasts, questionable music taste and her love for helping people face their challenges.

Looking for ways to save money and still enjoy Edinburgh’s festivals? We have you covered!

The summer holidays are filled with trips, holidays and adventures. Kindaba is a great way to plan your trips and share your memories with your family all over the world. Kindaba’s Edinburgh Festival Series provides you with our favourite shows, events and top tips to make sure you get the most out of your experience!

Edinburgh during festival time is a truly great and unique experience, however, it can also be a pretty pricey one. With ticket prices and meals out, your bank balance will soon be groaning. This can be alright for those of us who only pop in for a day or two but for those hardened festival goers who visit for weeks on end, this can be a big concern. Kindaba are here to help you out with our key tips to do the festivals on a budget!

Travel

If you’re staying in Edinburgh for multiple days, the travel can add up but if you get the right tickets you could save yourself a whole lot of money which you can spend on shows instead! Transport for Edinburgh has a lot of ticket options which you can tailor to your needs. Most can be bought at Tram stops or actually on the bus, or you can head to one of their travel shops if you would rather discuss your options with someone face to face. Top tip — exact change needed.

Our favourites are:

DayTicket, allowing unlimited travel on day buses and trams for one day which is great if you’re going to take multiple rides that day.

Adult (£4) Child (£2) Family — 2 adults & up to 3 children (£8.50)

Ridacard, is definitely the best option if you’re staying in Edinburgh for an extended period of time. Ridacard allows access to all services day and night and you can purchase one for 1 week or 4 weeks.

1 week: Adult (£18) Student (£15) Child (£9)

4 weeks: Adult (£54) Student (£45) Child (£29)

The cheapest option is of course walking. Most venues are roughly half an hour walk from Waverley Station. However, with the rise in the number of people strolling along Edinburgh’s streets, it can take a lot longer to get to venues. A way around this is to base yourself in a central location near all your shows. You could base yourself at the University of Edinburgh which is near the major venues Assembly, Gilded Balloon, Pleasance and Underbelly. Don’t worry, you won’t be made to study! The uni has a lot of great cafes and spaces to sit and soak up the atmosphere. Or, you could pick a day for International Book Festival events and stay in the beautiful tented village in Charlotte Square Gardens, or venture further afield and explore Edinburgh’s New Town.

Tickets

The most cost effective way of experiencing the entertainment that the Edinburgh festivals have to offer is to watch the street performers. These acts are often a wide variety of comedy, dance, circus and musical performances so you don’t have to run around the whole of Edinburgh to see these different skills in action. And they’re all free! The best spots are on The Mound Precinct or on the Royal Mile between George IV Bridge and Cockburn Street.

You can also embrace the Free Fringe which is made up of two branches, Laughing Horse Comedy and PBH’s Free Fringe. Grab a Wee Blue Book from the Fringe Box Office as most of these free events aren’t in the official programme or are pretty hard to find. This is becoming an even more exciting part of the festival as more performers are opting for this choice over expensive venues. These are free but donation buckets are often handed out at the end for you to support performers by popping in what you think the show was worth. For some more tips and tricks you can check out our ticket information post.

Food

Prices rise and places fill during festival time making it more and more difficult to suss out those bargain places that actually serve good food. A Festival favourite is the Mosque Kitchen which serves curry under £5 or the likes of easy take away places in the Pleasance Courtyard like The Pie Maker and Red Box. If you’re wanting something with a dash of Scottishness, try out the haggis burrito from Los Carlos.

Fancy some drinks? The best place to head is Wetherspoons, otherwise known as The Standing Order, on George Street for a cheap pint.

Of course, to avoid any cost and hassle with food, the easiest way is to simply bring a packed lunch. Grab some snacks and sandwiches and find a nice bench or grassy spot to enjoy a picnic.

Want more exclusive information, tips and tricks about Edinburgh’s Festivals this August?

Get your FREE Edinburgh Festival Guides here

Written by Alice Dobie, intern and Blogging Wizard of Kindaba. Alice is known for her pancake breakfasts, questionable music taste and her love for helping people face their challenges.