The goal of this data story is to highlight the trend of unintentional injuries leading to the deaths of black children in the US. The insights derived from this data can shape the focus of safety education campaigns in predominantly black communities in the US in order to reduce the incidences of deaths. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), accidents, also known as unintentional injury, is the leading cause of death in children below 14. Over the past few years, I have developed safety education products and programs to teach African children how to stay safe from unintentional injuries. Since coming to NYU and doing some research in the US, I have seen that there is a similar trend of unintentional injuries, but the injury mechanism leading to deaths varies by race and sex. Therefore, I decided to use the drill-down type of data story to zoom into the black community and highlight key insights that can guide a safety education campaign in partnership with relevant government agencies.

To generate this data, I wanted to see an overview of deaths arising from unintentional injury in the US across different age groups. The NCHS – Potentially Excess Deaths From the Five Leading Causes of Death provided an initial view of the death rates across different States in the US. In order to zoom into the injuries affecting children across races, I used the NCHS – Injury Mortality: United States dataset. Using a combination of these datasets, I was able to see data for all unintentional injuries across age groups. I was able to drill down to the injuries as they affected Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, and non-Hispanic black children. These datasets also identified the different injury mechanisms and the intent across different sexes. This was valuable information because I could see how a particular injury affected males and females differently.

In the first story point, I used a map to highlight locations, and then I leveraged hue to signify the intensity of deaths across each state. In the bar chart below, I also leveraged hue to depict intensity or lack of it. The bar chart was flipped to the side in accordance with best practices when using a bar chart. The axes were labeled to call attention to the race and numbers involved. In the second story point, bar charts and the same colors were used, however, the size of the two bar charts vary to call attention to the fact that they are not exactly the same even though it’s the same chart type and color. In the bar chart below, there is a filter to see the differences in unintentional injury by sex. For example, while black males experience death by drowning at 650 per 100,000, black females experience death by drowning at 250 per 100,000. Could it be that more black males face peer pressure to swim even though they know they do not have the skill?

Furthermore, the third story point focuses on the top 3 unintentional injuries leading to the deaths of black children. I used a line chart and color to show the top 3 unintentional injuries. The axes are also labeled to call attention to the injury mechanism and the number of deaths associated with it. There is also a color key to differentiate each injury mechanism. In the final story point, I used a line chart and colors to show the trend of these deaths over 15 years. The line charts side by side are used to call attention to the fact that whilst deaths by drowning and fire-related causes are declining, deaths by suffocation keep going up. Color is used to differentiate each injury mechanism.

Based on these data, it is important for relevant US agencies to revisit their strategies for reducing suffocation affecting black children to ensure that the numbers decline over time. Whilst progress has been made in reducing deaths per 100,000 arising from drowning and fire-related causes, there is still more work to be done to bring it down significantly.

I firmly believe that there is a lot of ground to cover on unintentional injuries affecting children and their relationship to health and safety in the wider population. This is why safety education is really important to me. Grateful to the New York University (NYU) Wagner Review for publishing my research. Read the research here

In today’s digital age, technology has connected us like never before, allowing for instant communication and sharing of content. However, this interconnectedness has also led to an alarming rise in image-based sexual abuse, commonly known as “revenge porn” or “non-consensual pornography.” This deplorable act involves the distribution or sharing of explicit images or videos without the subject’s consent, leading to severe emotional distress, reputational damage, and violation of privacy.  We will explore the growing issue of image-based sexual abuse, its devastating impact, and essential strategies to prevent and respond to such incidents effectively in this post.

 Image-Based Sexual Abuse-What does it really mean?

Image-based sexual abuse is a form of online harassment and exploitation that unequally affects women and marginalized communities. Perpetrators often seek to humiliate, control, or seek revenge against their victims by leveraging intimate images or videos shared in confidence. Unfortunately, once these explicit materials are online, they can rapidly spread across various platforms and have long-lasting repercussions for the victims.

Prevention Strategies

Education and Awareness: One of the most critical steps in preventing image-based sexual abuse is to educate individuals about the risks and consequences. School curriculums, workshops, and public awareness campaigns should highlight the importance of respecting privacy, consent, and digital boundaries.

Digital Literacy: Encouraging digital literacy and responsible online behavior can empower individuals to protect their personal information and avoid risky online activities that could lead to exploitation.

Stronger Legislation: Governments should enact comprehensive legislation to address image-based sexual abuse and establish clear guidelines for prosecuting offenders. Creating laws that hold platforms accountable for hosting non-consensual pornography can act as a powerful deterrent.

Reporting Mechanisms: Online platforms and social media networks must develop user-friendly reporting mechanisms to promptly address cases of image-based sexual abuse. Encouraging a culture of reporting can help take down explicit content swiftly.

Safeguarding Personal Content: Individuals should be mindful of what they share online and consider using privacy settings on social media platforms. Avoiding sharing explicit content altogether can drastically reduce the risk of it being misused.

How do you respond to Image-Based Sexual Abuse?

Support and Empathy: Victims of image-based sexual abuse, who will be referred to as Survivors in this post, often face emotional trauma and isolation. Building a supportive environment where they feel safe to seek help is crucial. Friends, family, and professionals should offer empathy and understanding.

Legal Assistance: Survivors should be informed about their legal rights and offered assistance in pursuing legal action against the perpetrators. Many countries have laws specifically targeting non-consensual pornography. In Nigeria, we have some laws which seek to protect and seek justice for survivors, but we need much more to ensure perpetrators are discouraged from such acts. Some legal remedies may include restraining orders and compensation for damages.

Online Content Removal: Immediate removal of explicit content from websites and social media platforms is essential. Survivors should report the content to the respective platforms and work with support organizations experienced in content takedown procedures.

Counseling and Mental Health Services: Professional counseling and mental health support can aid Survivors in coping with the emotional aftermath of image-based sexual abuse. Rehabilitation and healing are vital components of the recovery process.

In conclusion, Image-based sexual abuse is a grave violation of privacy and personal dignity that demands collective action. By fostering digital literacy, enforcing stronger legislation, and offering robust support systems, we can work towards preventing these incidents and providing much-needed help to the Survivors. In a world where technology connects us, let us strive to ensure that it never becomes a tool for exploitation and abuse. Let us unite to create a safer and more empathetic digital space for everyone.

Thank you to Techsocietal for inviting us to this informative workshop.

Tickling is a game often played with children, but it can make them feel helpless and out of control. Due to their inability to communicate or breathe properly while being tickled, children may be unable to ask you to stop. Their laughter, which may be mistaken as encouragement, does not necessarily mean they are having fun. Tickling, despite good intentions, can potentially harm a child and should be carefully considered. Tickling may elicit laughter quickly, but it doesn’t guarantee that your child is enjoying it. They may laugh and appear joyful because they can’t control themselves or express their discomfort. Tickling can have lasting effects on children, and they may not associate it with playfulness or a happy experience.

Insights from Research and Historical Perspectives
Tickling has a historical association with torture. For instance, during China’s Han Dynasty, tickling was used as a method of tormenting nobility due to its lack of visible marks and relatively quick recovery for the victim. In Japan, a specific term, “kusuguri-zeme,” meaning “merciless tickling,” was even coined for it. Research conducted by Vernon R. Wiehe from the University of Kentucky involved studying
150 adults who experienced sibling abuse during their childhoods. Many of the participants described tickling as a form of physical abuse. The study concluded that tickling can trigger severe physiological reactions, such as vomiting and loss of consciousness, due to the victim’s inability to breathe.

Patty Wipfler, a parenting expert and founder/director of the Hand in Hand organization, asserts that tickling during childhood is often a cause of emotional challenges that can persist into adulthood. She states, “In my many years of listening to adults talk about the emotional challenges of their lives as children, tickling comes up again and again as an experience that has been hurtful.” The resulting trauma may lead affected individuals to struggle with relaxation when others are nearby, feel insecure even when sleeping next to a trusted partner, and remain internally guarded during any non-casual physical contact with loved ones.
Here are a few reasons why assuming your child likes being tickled may be
problematic:

1. Involuntary laughter: Children may giggle helplessly, even if they dislike being tickled. They cannot control their laughter, and it is not the same as laughing at a funny joke.
2. Potential humiliation: Tickling can cause a loss of self-control, preventing children from expressing their desires or regaining control. This lack of agency can be humiliating for them, despite your good intentions.
3. Medical complications: Continuous tickling can lead to uncontrollable laughter, difficulty speaking, and breathing problems for children. In severe cases, they may even lose consciousness. As they cannot communicate their distress, you may not realize they are in trouble.
4. Trust issues: Tickling a child against their will, especially if they dislike it, can create long-lasting trust issues. They may associate tickling with physical abuse as they grow older, develop mistrust towards physical contact, and avoid crowded places due to fear of being touched.

The “Dos” of tickling:

1. Stop when they say “no” or “stop it” or if they push you away.
2. Ask for their consent beforehand, using phrases like “here come the tickles,” and
   only proceed if they respond positively.
3. Tickle them lightly without applying excessive pressure.

Reference: Momjunction
Further reference: Momjunction Brightside

With such statistics, why are we not passing on safety education to children in a more systematic manner? You might say that accidents are “accidents”, they are not preventable. Or you might say, “but we are doing something about it, there are existing policies, strategies, and child injury prevention programs”. First, accidents can be prevented. Second, policies, strategies, and programs are not enough if they cannot be integrated into the normal daily life of children. If we do not take intentional and systematic steps to incorporate safety education into the daily life of children, the number of children involved in these “accidents” will keep rising. But we can stem this tide by including safety education in and outside the classroom.

In my opinion, safety education is the deliberate and intentional dissemination of safety knowledge in a way the selected target audience will understand. This ensures that the audience is empowered to make better safety choices in different scenarios that may arise. Every school day across the country, children are learning an aspect of English and Mathematics. What if they also learned an aspect of safety at least once a week considering that this is something that has the potential to save their life? For example, if fire safety is taught this week, road safety follows next, bullying prevention and other safety topics are spread out across the entire academic term, the children will learn in a more intentional manner. Imagine safety education topics adapted to the age and class of the child across their entire academic journey, wouldn’t that be a child empowered to prevent accidents?

A practical example is a story of Chloe Woods reported in 2016 by the Washington Post She helped her blind grandmother escape from a burning house. She knew what to do because in her words, “that’s what they taught us”. According to the story, her class had visited a fire station. Just imagine if such trips were not just one-off but a part of a comprehensive child safety education curriculum all children go through in school. Note again that for her age and class, a field trip was more appropriate. When teaching children about safety, it is important to state that the complexity of the safety topic chosen must take their age into consideration. For example, when I visit primary schools in Nigeria and Ghana to teach about child safety, I just use my child safety storybook because safety concepts have been storified to foster understanding. On the other hand, when I visit to teach teenagers in high school, I use a different method because they are older and can grasp some other concepts better. All children in school need to experience a systematic method of learning how to stay safe throughout their academic journey and not just as a temporary program.

Outside the classroom, safety education can be incorporated through movies, games, cartoons, and even family bonding moments. One might say, let fun times be devoid of training for relaxation purposes. But entertainment methods are a great way to integrate important information in a way that is rarely forgotten. In 2017, Jacob O’Connor pulled out his younger brother who had fallen into the family swimming pool, and went on to administer CPR. When asked how he knew what to do, he said, “I saw it in a movie”. I am certain that when Dwayne Johnson, The Rock was acting that scene in the movie, San Andreas, he never knew it would equip a boy with the lifesaving skill to save his brother. This right here is the power of entertainment methods to etch safety education in the minds of our children outside the classroom. In my work in raising safety consciousness in Africa, I have seen how movies, games, cartoons, and family bonding moments make safety knowledge memorable to children. Every parent should use this hack. A quick tip for parents who want to incorporate this, pick a topic on safety and teach it to your children during your weekly family bonding moments. Make it fun, make it easy and they will never forget. The day they find themselves in a safety scenario, they will make the safe choice.

Are children not too young for this? No, they are not. Chloe Woods was 5 and Jacob O’Connor was 10 but when a situation came up, they sprang to action because they had been empowered. No matter how much we love our children, we may not be with them all day for a variety of reasons. However, if we equip them, they can act, and this will reduce the statistics of children dying due to unintentional injuries.
Let’s intentionally build a safety conscious generation.

If your child complains to you and you’re not listening or you ask them to endure, you are part of the problem.

As a teacher, if you see children being mean to another child and you turn away, you are part of the problem.

As a school owner, if you do not take action when a child goes out of line because the parents are rich, you are a part of the problem.

As a family member, if you see children ganging up against another child and you mind your business, you are part of the problem.

If justice is trying to be served and you are distorting information or frustrating the parents, you are part of the problem.

STOP IT!

Sylvester’s death has led to an outcry across all segments of society. This was totally preventable. We cannot continue to be a reactive society. Children do not need to die or get injured before we realize that their safety is critical. This case must be transparently treated and we must ALL work towards preventing a re-occurrence.

According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, an estimated 644,855 children under the age of 15 were killed by an injury and between 10 million and 30 million more suffered a non-fatal injury. A large proportion of these unintentional injuries occurred in or around the home while others occurred in the community.

You have a role

1. Parents: You are the primary caregiver of your child. Your child should be able to tell you ANYTHING about their experiences without fear. Build a loving relationship with them so this can happen. When they confide, please TAKE ACTION because it builds their confidence in you. Stop shutting them up or using words like “man up”
2. Family/Extended Family: Be observant. If you notice a child is not getting the care from their parents, care. There have been cases of children confiding in their grandparents on the abuse they face. This can only happen if they know the person cares. So, care. Observe, ask questions, support.
3. Teacher: You are a major influence in a child’s life. Use your influence positively. Do not be a part of the problem with abusive words, aggressive character and “funny” undertones. Don’t be nonchalant when you observe anything that compromises a child’s safety.  You might be their last hope of getting a “safe” adult’s attention.
4. School administrator /Owner: What is the overall culture in your school? Children’s development is not just about academics. Are they physically and emotionally safe? How do you ensure that? Do you have a proactive and reactive method of addressing safety concerns? No child deserves to die or get injured because they came to school. You must be seen to give a fair judgment regardless of socioeconomic status.
5. Parent-Teacher Associations (PTA): This is not an association to show off or gang up against the school. It is an opportunity to get involved in the well-being of children. Use your expertise to make life better for children who may not have anyone to speak for them. If you say it’s not your business because your child is fine, what happens when another child without scruples goes after yours? Get involved. Speak up.
6. Government: No child on your watch should die. If they do for any reason, you must use your FULL authority to get to the bottom of it. No hidden agendas because the child is the important party to be protected.

The media, places of worship, childcare services providers and YOU must use your voice. Call out bad behaviour in children when you see it and build them to make better choices. Do not be an enabler of bad behaviour.

Over the years, we have spoken and trained on the importance of equipping children and having the systems to protect them. We will continue. But we ALL need to rise up and play our roles too. ALL hands must be on deck.

A child should be confident that they are protected and will not die because adults did not have the courage to do the right thing.

#TheSafetyChic

Intentionally building a safety conscious generation

How can you differentiate bullying from other aggressive behaviour?

Bullying features the following:

1) Hostile intent

2) Imbalance of power 

3) Repetition over a period of time

Types of bullying 

1) Physical: hurts someone’s body or damages their property 

2) Verbal: uses voice and words to hurt others 

3) Relational: uses relationships to hurt others. This is common among young people especially girls. Social exclusion and making others feel left out is one way a bully dominates others

4) Cyberbullying: uses technology to harass, embarrass or threaten others

Some signs your child is being bullied

1) Reluctance to go to certain places

2) Fear of school

3) Loss of appetite

4) Sadness

5) Withdrawal from others and spending more time with family and friends 

Effects of bullying 

1) Low self-esteem 

2) Loneliness 

3) Depression which might sometimes lead to suicide

4) Anxiety 

5) Susceptibility to illness

How to respond to bullying 

1) Encourage children to speak up when they experience it

2) When children speak up, do not ignore it or underestimate it because if it is not addressed, it will continue

3) Teach children not to be bystanders when another child is being bullied.

4) Parents and teachers must create an environment where bullying cannot continue

How to reinforce a no-bullying stance

For parents and teachers 

a) Teach through songs, stories, games etc.

b) Reward good behaviour and punish bad behaviour 

For school management 

a) Have an anti-bullying policy

b) Take action when rules are broken

c) Organise anti-bullying days or weeks as part of school activities

You have a role to play in child safety. Empower the child. Share your knowledge with other parents and teachers.

#TheSafetyChic 

Intentionally grooming a safety conscious generation 

How can you do this?
Every week, during what I famously call a “family safety meeting”, introduce one safety topic. This “meeting” can happen during a regular bonding time that happens between parents and children. The atmosphere of fun and relaxation is a great time to teach about these life-saving topics without sounding too formal.

What topics should you cover?
1) Child Sexual Abuse
This is important because your child can be abused by adults and even other children.

2) Bullying/Cyberbullying
This keeps showing up everywhere. Teach them what to do before and when they encounter/experience this.

3) Fire safety
We have lost children to fire because they were not sure on how to act in a smoke-filled building.

4) Slips, Trips and Falls
Falls are so common and often taken for granted. Teach the basic tips to avoid it. As little as paying more attention and reducing distraction goes a long way.

5) Online Safety
With the rise in online threats and use of online methods for education and entertainment, children should be informed.

6) Substance Abuse
This is an epidemic among a section of our young people. Teach them how this can show up, how to avoid peer pressure and how to stay safe.

7) Preventing abduction
Don’t take this for granted. Empower them with simple tips that can shield them from perpetrators.

8) Road safety
We still have children taking risks on the roads. Due to their age, they may not be able to accurately gauge the speed at which a vehicle can get to them. Teach them to avoid risky behaviour

9) First aid
The age of the child determines what you can teach here. Don’t say, “God forbid”, anything can happen anywhere and any time.

10) Electrical safety
This deserves separate mention because many adults display unsafe behaviour around electrical sources. Children model what they see, so you must teach and ACT right.

Is this an exhaustive list?
No. In the coming weeks, I’d expound on these topics and add more.

Isn’t this too much for children?
Technically, no. Our children should be in a safe world but when we cannot vouch for certain things, it’s best to equip them before something bad happens. Giving it to them in small bits over a period of time will not be overwhelming.

It’s better to have the knowledge and not need it than need it and not have it.

Will you be an ambassador for child safety and share this with your network?

#TheSafetyChic
Intentionally grooming a safety conscious generation

I know a “meeting” sounds too serious. The idea however is an opportunity for your family to get together regularly and bond then you would use that opportunity to teach on a particular area of safety. So you can totally have a fun name for it.

How do you start?

Identify diverse topics on safety e.g. road safety, fire safety, preventing molestation and abduction, preventing falls etc. You can get my child safety story books, they provide topics you can teach on and there are other diverse resources online.

How often should it happen?

It can be done on a weekly basis. This means by the end of a quarter, you would have covered different topics. By the end of the year, a lot more.

How should this happen?

• It should occur during a fun family activity either at the beginning, middle or end.
• It should be age appropriate to suit the age of your children 
• Keep it simple, accurate and impactful 
• Always ask questions at the end so they can respond in their own words and you can check for accurate assimilation 

Always plan to have practice sessions after a longer duration e.g. quarterly, biannual. Drills give an opportunity for family members to interact with knowledge acquired, identify loopholes and plug it. Remember, keep it fun and repeat from time to time because repetition deepens the impression. 

What are your thoughts on a family safety meeting?

The tips are as follows:

1. Good housekeeping

Proper housekeeping helps to prevent danger in the home. When the house is properly organised, the risk of fall, trips and slips can be eliminated. Some basic housekeeping practices include:

• Keep cleaning products, electrical gadgets including batteries and household appliances out of sight for children especially the preschoolers.
• Keep the floor dry to prevent slips and falls especially in the bathroom and kitchen.
• Avoid opening windows and balconies in order to prevent fall from heights.
• Turn off all gas stoves before leaving the kitchen to avoid fire outbreak.
• Avoid objects littered all over the house especially toys as it can choke children once they stuff it in their mouth.
• Do not put children’s crib or bed close to the window or leave ropes hanging as they could climb the window and fall or choke themselves.

2. Parental Guidance

This involves guiding one’s child by explaining the reasons for actions and decisions. This is done by closely monitoring changes of behavior of children especially those of the school age. Children have various ways of learning especially from what they see. Parental guidance is very important as it helps to mold and shape a child’s future.

• For example, the use of punishment and reward for children enhances the knowledge of good and bad as it also boosts a child’s ability and strength.
• Restricting children of the school age who are perceived to be active and fast learners from watching some sports and movies can also help mold their behaviors. Sports like wrestling and movies about suicide and violence should be avoided

3. Child proofing

The act of making an environment or object safe for children. The aim of child proofing is to make the house safe thereby reaching a zero hazard or accident level for children in the house. This applies to preschoolers and one of the ways children develop socially, emotionally and cognitively is through play. Understandably, adults often restrict children’s play to safe indoor spaces where they are very unlikely to be injured. Before that, children played outdoor, often unsupervised for many hours. If children are to be allowed, the freedom to play outdoor again and gain all the social, emotional and physical benefits this brings, then they need to play in a safe environmental condition.

• Children should wear helmets when skating or riding bikes.
• The use of barricades around a pool to avoid drowning.
• The use of door latch to secure the door is properly shut.
• Cover all electrical fittings. Children watch their caregivers/parents charge their electrical gadgets everyday, so they might want to try the same thing.
• Avoid using furniture with sharp edges and also ensure that they are in stable condition.
• Play pens and baby carriers should also be used in order to restrict their movement.

Parents/ caregivers should make sure children are not out of sight or left alone when playing. Therefore, strict supervision is to be ensured for children to avoid hazards around the house. Though, there are other ways of preventing hazards in the house but these are the common tips  caregivers or parents should pay attention to.

Written by Oladiran Ifedolapo.D