As the popular film title suggested, the kids may be all right, but our planet certainly isn’t. In 2024, we experienced some of the hottest days ever recorded, and this trend does not seem to let up. The oceans are still warming and rising. Since 1970, wildlife populations have declined by 73% on average. Plastic? Everywhere. Reaching the “net zero” pledged in the Paris Agreement seems unrealistic as very little progress has been made to decrease carbon emissions. If anything, those emissions are predicted to rise by 0.8% in 2024. Nevertheless, some politicians continue to disregard the planetary emergency we find ourselves in, leaving the communities-at-risk to fend for themselves.

All of this paints a grim picture, causing young people to suffer extreme levels of anxiety linked to uncertainty of their future on our burning planet. While affecting all of humanity equally, younger generations were the first ones to grow up in a world where climate disasters became the norm, not the exception. Sometimes, this results in fatalism and resignation, and while understandable, those are of little help when it comes to taking action for climate justice. So, if climate emergency is indeed impossible to ignore, we should all become better-equipped in thinking about the possible ways to stop and revert it, and applying those strategies in our personal lives. After all, caring about our planet isn’t just about fearing the future; it’s about loving, preserving and refusing to let go of those wonderful things that we still have. It is not fear, but the power of love and care for our planet is the feeling we need to harness to fight climate change.

At Yubo, we take our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) commitments seriously. Among them is raising awareness about climate change. Using the influence we have within our industry, we aspire to always support and contribute to the fight for better climate. We believe that promoting high standards of conduct in tech as well as encouraging positive behaviors in our industry, our workplace and among our users are fundamental to accomplishing sustainable growth in the long term.

At Yubo headquarters in Paris we have implemented some important steps towards eco-friendliness. We recycle our office waste in partnership with Les Joyeux Recycleurs. We also switched away from using plastic cups in the office as well as stopped using coffee capsules, opting in for coffee beans with less packaging instead. Finally, we transformed our rooftop terrace into an urban garden where we grow fruit, vegetables and herbs! This helps us to reduce the building's carbon footprint and encourages our colleagues to spend some time in a natural environment, participating in practice of “urban picking”. All these little steps are designed to reduce the negative impact on the environment that modern workplaces unfortunately contribute to, and to relieve the personal stress associated with climate change as everyone gets to play their part in making the future a little more liveable.

We all know about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling. However, in our increasingly digitized lives, it is important to remember that technology has a carbon footprint too. Every text you send, TikTok you scroll past and duplicate photos you forget to delete from your device uses energy, and that energy often comes from fossil fuels, the primary culprit of global warming. But don’t worry, we’re not here to make you feel guilty! Instead, we’d like you to consider digital sustainability and see what tweaks you can implement into your daily digital habits to offset the impact you have on the environment. The movement for digital sustainability is designed to teach us to think about using technology in a way that is mindful of our shared planet. So, here’s some inspiration if you’ve been waiting to switch things up and contribute to a better future.

With the abundance of digital files we hold on to, our cloud storage can quickly become cluttered and unruly. But in the same way that money doesn’t grow on trees, your cloud files don’t go to a mysterious secret place outside our physical world. They are stored on servers somewhere, and those servers are powered by energy. This is why it is extremely important to sort through and organize your files to make sure you’re not keeping things you don’t need. Remember to delete emails you’re unlikely to open, unsubscribe from irrelevant newsletters and clean up your photo library deleting duplicates, unnecessary screenshots and the like.

Don’t cycle through your devices too fast

We all know how great a shiny new smartphone feels! However, e-waste is a big contributor to the planetary environmental issues that we face. In 2019, 53.6 million metric tonnes of e-waste was produced in the world. Only 17.4% of this waste was collected and recycled. When considering a new gadget, think back to these numbers. If your current smartphone or laptop still works, maybe you should hold onto it, and if it doesn’t – try repairing it first. When you do decide to upgrade, make sure to recycle the old one properly.

Did you know that standby power could use up to 10% of your overall household energy, and is responsible for 1% of total global CO2 emissions, which is equivalent to the output of several large power plants? Keeping this in mind, it is important to unplug your devices, as they still draw energy when plugged in, even if not in use. If you have power strips installed in your home, remember to use them too as they allow you to cut power from multiple devices simultaneously. Other things you could do include turning your devices off instead of just leaving them to “sleep” as well as using energy-efficient settings such as dark mode.

Your web search traffic produces carbon emissions too. For instance, Google produces 0.11 grams of CO2 per search. This is why it’s important to choose a good search engine that can help you offset your carbon footprint. Here’s the list of engines you could try using!

Ecosia: If you love trees, this one is for you. 100% of Ecosia’s profits go to climate action, with 80% of their income spent on planting trees. Importantly, they plant native tree species and stay away from monocultures.

Ekoru: This search engine helps you to clean up plastics from the ocean with every click. They also help to “reforest” it by planting ocean seagrass. Ekoru works with initiatives such as Big Blue Ocean Cleanup and Operation Posidonia.

OceanHero: This is another engine for ocean lovers. Like Ekoru, they prevent the plastic from entering our oceans, and they do it with style! On average every 5 searches with OceanHero helps recover one plastic bottle.

So here you go! Now you know about some simple strategies to help you offset your digital carbon footprint. While small, all of the above can help us make a huge difference and move towards maintaining our planet for ourselves and the generations to come.

Sometimes being looped into a 24/7 news cycle, reporting on each and every way in which we are killing our planet, can generate feelings of helplessness and anxiety. But here’s the deal: while it’s absolutely understandable to feel overwhelmed by the state of things, it’s also important not to let that anxiety rule over our everyday life. We need to stay optimistic, if the current climate emergency is the problem we intend to solve. So if you’re in need of a breather, we’d like to offer you a list of things you could try to soothe the negative emotions associated with climate change.

Being the huge problem it is, climate change tends to make people feel powerless about ever stopping it. However, implementing small eco-conscious habits into your life can help you to feel that you’re not staying idle and indifferent. It also connects you to the larger movement of people who take the current state of affairs as seriously as you do.

Being in nature can remind us why we care about our planet and ecology. Go outside to sit under an old tree, grab your binoculars and go do some birdwatching or simply take a brief walk in your local park. Appreciating nature and staying connected to it can give us a welcome relief from the stress and anxiety we’re feeling.

With so much doomer content on the internet, it can sometimes feel unavoidable. But we challenge you to surround yourself with positive news, too! Give some activist initiatives a follow on social media, or find and watch a documentary about people making real change in the world. Get inspired into action, not scared into it.

Another thing to remember is that you’re not alone in this fight. There’s a whole generation of young people who are taking action every day, as concerned about the planet as you are. So make sure to find your people. Go on a march, chat with your friends, or even find someone on Yubo by using our causes tags. Knowing that you belong in a group of like-minded people can help you soothe the anxiety from feeling like you’re all on your own.

We know that the climate crisis is real. Feeling anxious about it is also totally understandable. But remember that the key to reducing that anxiety is taking climate action, focusing on the love for the planet, and finding moments of inspiration. It’s impossible to save the world overnight, but every small action adds up.

Remember to take breaks from the doom and gloom, we won’t judge you for spending some time scrolling TikTok, but make sure to come back when you are feeling recharged and remember to balance it out with some positive action!

Digital habits for a healthier planet

Empowering young filmmakers: Join the Childnet Film Competition!

Do you ever come across successful videos online and think, “I could make that”? Are you keen to develop your skills behind the camera and explore technology in a way that inspires others? Yubo is excited to share the news of this initiative hosted by its long-time partner Childnet, which will allow you and the whole Yubo community to share your creativity.  

The Childnet Film Competition is an annual event open to young people ages 7 to18. The competition gives young people everywhere a platform to showcase their creativity and digital skills while promoting the positive use of technology. The competition is run by Childnet International, a leading charity in helping to make the internet a great and safe place for young people. 

This competition provides young people with the opportunity to contribute their thoughts and opinions about life online, spark important conversations and be part of a movement towards a safer and more positive online world.

There are two competitions which are now open for entries: the UK competition and the International competition. The UK version is open to young people in the UK, while the International version is open to young people from around the world. 

The answer is anything that relates to the theme of the competition, which you can view below!

“Time to talk! How can we support each other online?” 

Films can be live-action or animated, fiction or documentary, serious or humorous – but they can be no longer than two minutes and must reflect a positive message. 

Whether you’re entering the UK or the International competition, there is a secondary category is open to all people ages 11 to18, so this would be great if you’re in a school, college, youth group or film group.

What do the winners and finalists of the Childnet Film Competition win? 

Not only will finalists become young pioneers of online safety and be featured on Childnet’s website and social media, but there are spectacular prizes up for grabs for their school or youth group too! 

Finalists of the UK competition will be invited to London, where they will see their films screened at the prestigious BFI Southbank and judged by esteemed members of the film industry. 

Winners of the International category will win £500 for their school to spend on filmmaking equipment, so future generations can follow in the winners’ footsteps and pick up the camera!

Are you interested in creating a film, but don't have access to a camera or the resources to produce a full-length film? Then the “Storyboard” category is perfect for you – in this category, you can create a storyboard that tells a story about online safety. You don't need any fancy equipment or software – all you need is a pen and paper! 

Even better, you can enter this category independently and still win fantastic prizes, such as a professional graphics pen. This is a great opportunity to showcase your creativity and share your own message and experience around online safety.

Build your skills: By participating, you will have the opportunity to develop your filmmaking skills, whether writing, directing, editing or drawing.

Showcase your talent: Share your flair and creativity with Childnet’s audience and leading industry professionals. This can help you gain recognition, build your portfolio, and potentially even open doors for future opportunities.

Win: You could end up winning your school some fantastic filmmaking equipment, and empower future generations to follow in your footsteps. Not to mention, your film will gain recognition with industry and on social media!

Gain experience: Entering a competition allows you to gain real world experience in the filmmaking industry: meet deadlines, follow the brief, and work effectively within a team.

Make a difference: The Childnet Film Competition’s online safety theme enables you to use your filmmaking skills to make a positive impact and raise awareness about important topics within online safety.

If you’re interested in entering, why not take a look at Childnet’s videos on YouTube explaining each competition?

Will you win the Childnet Film Competition 2023?

You can also head here to watch the International video.

It's important to note that if you're interested in participating in the Childnet Film Competition, your teacher or youth group leader must submit the film for you. So, if you're interested in taking part, make sure to approach the relevant adult at your school, college or youth group. There is no limit to the amount of groups that can enter per school, so everybody gets a go.

Each film has to be created as part of a group, so have a think about who would make a great team – each group should be no larger than eight.

Head to childnet.com/film to learn more about the competition, and access the resources to support you in your filmmaking journey.

If you’re looking to enter the International competition, the webpage your teacher will need to go to is here.

Jude first entered the Childnet Film Competition in 2013, where he came 2nd place in the primary category for his creative clay animation work. In 2016 he went on to win 1st place in the secondary category with another clever clay animation. 

Jude has since lent his support as a competition judge, created content to support Safer Internet Day and also created top tips on storyboarding for future aspiring filmmakers. Pursuing his talent and passion for all forms of animation, Childnet recently heard that he is now in his first year at Edinburgh University studying for a BA Honors in animation. 

Jude's top tips for storyboards

He says that entering the Childnet Film Competition helped drive him to get him where he is today – will you follow in his footsteps? 

Why does Yubo support the Childnet Film Competition? 

At Yubo, our motto is to empower young people to discover and belong. When Childnet first told us about this competition, we knew we had to help spread the word to our community. Through this competition, you can share with the world your boundless talent and creativity that is so characteristic of you. 

Childnet is a trusted partner with whom we regularly collaborate to provide valuable resources on how to stay safe online. You may have come across our latest swipe campaign that we organized for Safer Internet Day 2023 (if not go take a look at the article, you can find many great tips). Together we can support the next generation to thrive in the safest possible environment and ensure a caring online space.  

Do you ever come across successful videos online and think, “I could make that”? Are you keen to develop your skills behind the camera and explore technology in a way that inspires others? Yubo is excited to share the news of this initiative hosted by its long-time partner ChildNet, which will allow you and the whole Yubo community to share your creativity.

Yubo supports Childnet Film Competition

The United States recognizes March as Women’s History Month. But, globally, March 8th is recognized as International Women’s Day. It’s a day dedicated to bringing awareness to the continuing issues surrounding gender equality and women’s rights, while also acknowledging and honoring the contributions to our society brought by women. So, for this International Women’s Day, we’d like to honor some incredible woman-founded companies and organizations, and the women who created them. 

Glossier (Emily Weiss) – Beauty & Skincare

Before creating one of the biggest beauty brands in the world, Emily Weiss had a blog titled “Into the Gloss” that gave women everywhere an up close look at the beauty secrets from their favorite celebrities. With her blog, Weiss discovered what women truly wanted from their beauty routines, and created Glossier to fill that need. 

UOMA (Sharon Chuter) – Beauty & Skincare

Sharon Chuter created UOMA in 2018 after noticing a lack of beauty products for women of color. UOMA offers a diverse shade range and colors that will pop on any skin tone. You can even find on their website that “beauty comes in every color, and we intend to wear them all”.

Megababe (Katie Sturino) – Personal Care

Megababe went viral for their anti-chafing “thigh rescue” stick. Since then, they’ve released products for the entire body including a foot spray and “bust dust”. Katie Sturino founded Megababe as a solution to the thigh chafing she (like most) experienced every summer. 

Juvia’s Place (Chichi Eburu) – Beauty & Skincare

Unable to find makeup that enhanced the beauty of her natural skin tone, Chichi Eburu created Juvia’s Place. A beauty company that offered world of makeup and skincare for all. Read more about Juvia’s Place origin and Chichi’s desire to create an inclusive beauty industry here. 

Bumble (Whitney Wolfe Herd) – Social App

Herd became the world’s youngest female self-made billionaire at age 31 when she took Bumble public in 2021. After co-founding the popular dating app Tinder, Herd sought out to create her own that was designed specifically with women in mind. Whether you’re looking for a date, a BFF, or to network professionally, Bumble has you covered.

Without a simple way to track her own menstrual and fertility cycle, Ida Tin brainstormed the idea for the Clue app. A simple, one stop location for women to track and understand their body’s cycles. Today, Clue has over 11 million monthly users. 

The Riveter (Amy Nelson) – Membership Network

The Riveter, founded in 2017, is a national membership network of community, content, resources, and coworking spaces, built by women for everyone. Nelson sought a place where women could go to learn and share resources with one another, and that’s when The Riveter was created.

Tia (Carolyn Witte and Felicity Yost) – Women’s Health Platform

Tired of women’s voices being ignored in traditional healthcare offices, Witte and Yost created Tia: one location for every healthcare provider a woman could need including primary care doctor, gynecologist, therapist, and wellness practitioners. 

The Malala Fund (Malala Yousafzai) – Advocacy for Girl’s Education

Co-founded by education activist and youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai, The Malala Fund was created to advocate for girls’ education. Read more about Malala’s fight and her story here. 

Black Girls Code (Kimberly Bryant) – STEM Education for Girls of Color

Kimberly Bryant worked in the STEM field for 20 years when, after seeing the lack of representation of Black women in the industry, she decided to start this NGO. Black Girls Code introduces young girls of color to STEM fields. 

Women for Women International (Zainab Salbi) – Supports Female War Survivors

Driven by her own experiences and horror stories heard from her home country of Iraq, Zainab Salbi created Women for Women International in hopes of supporting female survivors of war. Her organization provides them with support, tools, and skills that help them to access a better life. Read more about Zainab Salbi here. 

Games for Change (Suzanne Seggerman) – Games for Good

CO-founded by Suzanne Seggerman, Games for Change is an organization that not only believes games can change the world, but also introduces and teaches youth game development and coding. 

The list above is just a small selection of modern women-found businesses and organizations. But, why does it matter to be aware of women-founded businesses? For one, it’s recognizing the impact and innovation of brilliant women across the globe. Too frequently, the achievements and successes of women get ignored. By supporting women-owned businesses, you can help to bridge the gender equality gap. Whether your support is a purchase, donation, or even a follow on their social media pages, it all adds up. So, for this International Women’s Day, we urge you to find your favorite women-owned business, and possibly a new one you didn’t know of before, and go show them some support! 

International Women's Day: Women-Owned Businesses

How You Can Support Black History Month Year-Round

Black History Month is an annual celebration of Black achievements and contributions to the world. The origins of Black History Month can actually be traced back to 1926, where a historian proposed a Black History Week to be celebrated in February, because both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born in February. About 50 years later, president Gerald Ford extended Black History Week to Black History Month as he told Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Thankfully, there are many ways you can support Black History Month and the important message it highlights!

One great way is to support Black-owned businesses. You can do this by literally searching for Black-owned businesses in your area or online. By shopping at or buying from these businesses, you will help promote economic empowerment in the Black community. Due to power dynamics and the discriminatory history of the world, especially the United States, Black people have had to suffer significant economic disadvantages. While there are larger systematic and societal changes that need to take place to reach equality, supporting Black owned businesses is a small, but immediate step you can take to economically empower the Black community. Further, there are so many Black-owned businesses out there with such fantastic products or services, that you could easily become a returning customer, adding a longevity to this mission. 

Here are a few Black-owned businesses worth checking out:

Unfinished Legacy – If you like streetwear, you will love these

Baked Cravings – If you like sweets, you will love these nut-free treats

Partake – Cookies and pancakes that are gluten-free, vegan, and delicious

Karite – Natural moisturizers made with shea butter

Scotch Porter – Fine men's grooming products

Educate yourself through the right sources. While there are many books, documentaries, lectures, podcasts, movies, the list goes on and on, about Black history and Black culture/communities, not all of them come from Black people. This is an important distinction. These various forms of essay might be helpful in understanding the historical events that contribute to systematic racism. If you want to get a better understanding of what it is like to be Black in modern times, it is best to hear it from those who are living it and to hear the perspectives and points of view by those affected. This means seeking out resources, literature and materials by Black people themselves speaking about the issues that impact them and their fight throughout history and today.

One of the best ways to do this is to simply speak with Black people in your community to learn more about their expeirences – but you must always remember to be open minded and to hear what they have to say. It is all about respect. If you have any Black friends, it is also important to check in on them. Black History Month highlights the achievements and contributions of black people, but it can also be met with a lot of hate and problematic statements and actions, as well stir up some complex feelings about our country’s history and current day issues. Whether they like it or not, a light is being shined on them and it can be nice to have the support of a caring friend.

During Black History Month, and year-round, many institutions, art exhibits, movie theaters, and schools/universities highlight the Black community through events. It could be an art gallery consisting of work by Black artists, it could be poetry reading, films featured by Black directors, or even lectures. Expression and articulation takes many forms, which means there is definitely a medium for you! If you enjoy reading, we made a list of books everyone should read that are by black authors.

Since films are so accessible, here are three films that also highlight Black culture:

Blindspotting (2018) – A timely social commentary mixed with a buddy-comedy about being a Black man in modern America.

Do the Right Thing (1989) – A comedic drama about racial tensions in a fictional neighborhood in New York City, told through Spike Lee’s iconic lens.

You People (2023) – A light-hearted comedy about a modern interracial couple moving towards marriage.

One of the most important ways to support Black History Month is to get active and show solidarity. While going to events is helpful, being active takes it one step further. This can look like volunteering at organizations that serve the Black community or even one of those types of events mentioned above. You could also invite friends and family members who likely would not have gone to these events, to go with you. Further, there are many rallies during Black History Month and attending these shows strength in numbers. There are so many ways to show support your support.

Social media has become a large part of modern society and has also become a large outlet for sharing information. While social media is a fantastic place to get educated about Black History Month, it can also be full of misinformation. It is important to look into the information you are getting and its sources, especially before reposting or sharing it.

Most importantly, supporting Black History Month is not just a one month commitment. It is important to continually support the Black community every day by listening to their voices, advocating for equality, and taking actions against systemic racism and discrimination.

Black History Month is an annual celebration of Black achievements and contributions to the world. The origins of Black History Month can actually be traced back to 1926, where a historian proposed a Black History Week to be celebrated in February, because both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born in February. About 50 years later, president Gerald Ford extended Black History Week to Black History Month as he told Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Thankfully, there are many ways you can support Black History Month and the important message it highlights!

Supporting the Black Community This Past Month

Celebrate Black voices this Black History Month (and every other month) by reading words written, stories told, and history explained by Black authors. Here is a list of books by Black authors to help you learn, understand, and celebrate both Black history and Black excellence. 

If you’re interested in buying any of the books listed below, please check out Racial Justice Bookshelf to help guide you to Black-Owned Bookstores to purchase them from!

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness  by Michelle Alexander

Alexander points out the racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and argues that mass incarceration has become a new form of oppression for Black Americans in the post-civil rights era. 

W.E.B Du Bois explores the experiences of black Americans in the aftermath of slavery in terms of race, identity, and the struggle for equality. Read free here.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley

Malcolm X, the Muslim leader, firebrand, and anti-integrationist, tells the extraordinary story of his life and the growth of the Black Muslim movement. 

Stamped From The Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi

Kendi chronicles the entire story of anti-black racist ideas and their staggering power over the course of American history. He uses the life stories of five major American intellectuals to drive this history. 

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave by Frederick Douglass

The autobiography of Frederick Douglass, a former slave who escaped and became a leading abolitionist. Read free here.

The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson

Three young people set out on a perilous journey out of the Jim Crow South to the North and West in search of what novelist Richard Wright called “the warmth of other suns.”

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Urban Fiction) 

A sixteen-year-old girl was the only witness to a fatal shooting of her best friend at the hands of a police officer. What everyone wants to know is: what really went down that night? And the only person alive who can answer that is Starr. 

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Biography) 

Coates offers a powerful new framework for understanding our nation’s history and current crisis by writing this novel as a letter to his adolescent son. 

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (Historical Fiction) 

Gyasi illuminates slavery’s troubled legacy both for those who were taken and those who stayed – and shows how the memory of captivity has been inscribed on the soul of our nation.

Sin, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (Thriller) 

When the white father of Leonie’s children is released from prison, she packs her kids and a friend into her car and sets out across the state for Parchman Farm, the Mississippi State Penitentiary, on a journey rife with danger and promise. 

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (Historical Fiction) 

A stunning new novel about twin sisters, inseparable as children, who ultimately choose to live in two very different worlds, one black and one white. 

Red At the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson (Domestic Fiction) 

Red At the Bone is about love, and family, and the Tulsa Race Massacre, and Brooklyn, and getting pregnant young, and falling in love for the first time, and heartbreak, and motherhood, and daughterhood – the list goes on and on. 

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid (Domestic Fiction) 

A gripping page-turner with serious things to say about racism, class, gender, parenting, and privilege in modern America. 

The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Historical & Fantasy Fiction) 

An unexpected journey into the covert war on slavery that takes Hiram from the corrupt grandeur of Virigna’s proud plantations to desperate guerilla cells in the wilderness, from the coffin of the deep South to dangerously utopic movements in the North. 

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Fiction) 

A powerful, tender story of race and identity. Two young lovers depart for the west, one landing in America, and the other entering a dangerous, undocumented life in London. Fifteen years later, they reunite in a newly democratic Nigeria and reignite their passion – for each other and for their homeland. 

Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her – from her childhood on the South side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. 

Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly 

Hidden Figures recovers the history of these pioneering women and situates it in the intersection of the deining movements of the American century: the Cold War, the Spae Race, and the Civil Rights movement and the quest for gender equality. 

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison (Fiction) 

A nameless narrator describes growing up in a Black community in the South, attending a Negro college from which he was expelled, moving to New York and becoming the chief spokesman of the Harlem branch of “the Brotherhood”. 

Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Escaped Slavery and Became Millionaires by Shomari Wills

Between the years of 1830 and 1927, as the last generation of Blacks born into slavery was reaching maturity, a small group of industrious, tenacious, and daring men and women broke new ground to attain the highest levels of financial success. 

Black Women in Science: A Black History Book for Kids by Kimberly Brown Pellum

Celebrates the incredible Black women in STEM who have used their brains, bravery and ambition to beat the odds. Features 15 powerful stories of fearless female scientists. 

Celebrate Black voices this Black History Month (and every other month) by reading words written, stories told, and history explained by Black authors. Here is a list of books by Black authors to help you learn, understand, and celebrate both Black history and Black excellence. If you’re interested in buying any of the books listed below, please check out Racial Justice Bookshelf to help guide you to Black-Owned Bookstores to purchase them from!

Books By Black Authors That Everyone Should Read

Safer Internet Day is an annual global event organized by the European networks Insafe and INHOPE. Every year in February, stakeholders from all sectors (NGOs, institutions, and companies) mobilize to promote a better internet for young people, their parents, caretakers and educators. They encourage responsible online behaviour by sharing resources and advice. Celebrated in more than 150 countries, this event is a must for digital education.

What is the theme of Safer Internet Day 2023

This year's Safer Internet Day will take place on February 7, 2023 and the theme will be 'Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online.’ The objective is to put children's and young people's voices at the center of the day and encourage them to share their experiences online, in turn, to help shape the safety support that they receive.

This year is a special one, as the event will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. To celebrate this, the organizers will highlight all of the achievements of the past years during a big virtual event where they will also be giving the floor to young people to describe their online experience and discuss new solutions for the future. This event perfectly fits with the theme of the year, allowing the younger generations to express themselves and to be heard by institutions and companies.

What is Yubo doing for Safer Internet 2023? 

For the fourth year in a row, Yubo is taking part in Safer Internet Day to offer helpful resources and information to our users. To do so, Yubo is collaborating with two NGOs for in-app swipe campaigns in the US, UK, France, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and Australia.  

Childnet is a UK-based charity working to make the internet a great and safe place for children and young people. They empower children and those who support them in their online lives by sharing the knowledge and skills they need to make the most out of the internet. 

Childnet is also one of the historic organizers of Safer Internet Day, so they are the perfect partner to help us provide resources relevant to the event's themes.

At Yubo, our mission is to empower young people to discover and belong. It is, therefore, essential for us to provide our users with as safe a space as possible to express themselves and share their ideas and opinions. 

The theme 'Want to talk about it? Making space for conversations about life online is a theme that is very close to our hearts, and we wanted to involve Childnet directly in sharing resources and advice with our users. 

In working with them to create an in-app campaign, our English-speaking users will be able to access helpful tips and information through swiping beginning February 7.

This campaign has been specifically designed to encourage young people to share their online experiences. All users who decide to swipe right on the campaign will be redirected to the page with tips on how to participate in this year's Safer Internet Day and especially on responsible online behaviour.

If our users want to go further, they can also participate in this quiz created by Childnet for Safer Internet Day.

Respect Zone is a French NGO specializing in the prevention, support and care of young people facing cyber-violence, cyber-bullying and online hate. The NGO is known for its proactive vision and does not hesitate to bring these issues into the public debate in order to raise awareness among key stakeholders.

What is Yubo organising with Respect Zone? 

Yubo and Respect Zone have been partners for a long time, and we have the same proactive vision for the safety of our users. It is important for us to collaborate with organizations that share our values and that will understand and support our approach to online safety. 

Respect Zone is constantly working to improve its reporting and user support systems. They recently released a Respect Zone app, which helps users to manage cyberbullying or online harassment by providing them with tailored advice depending on their situation and who they are (young person, educator or parent). The app raises awareness of the invisible signs of cyberbullying and supports anyone who finds themselves a victim of it by offering a space to express themselves in complete safety. 

RespectZone Homophobie APP

Yubo will be supporting Respect Zone by sharing its awareness campaign with its French users and promoting the app to its young community who may encounter bullying and harassment online. 

Respect Zone   Sexisme   DONS

To promote its new app, Respect Zone has created three mini clips depicting situations of harassment and the effect it can have on young people. To be relevant to as many people as possible, the clips cover different issues such as sexual harassment, body shaming or homophobia. These clips will help make users aware of all the varying forms of harassment and of the effects they can have.

RespectZone Grossophobie APP

For the fourth year in a row, Yubo is taking part in Safer Internet Day to offer helpful resources and information to our users. To do so, Yubo is collaborating with two NGOs for in-app swipe campaigns in the US, UK, France, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and Australia. 

Have an open conversation on Safer Internet Day 2023

You’ve probably heard of some of the world’s greatest Black activists including Martin Luther King Jr, Harriet Tubman, Malcolm X, and Frederick Douglas. While it will always be important to recognize these figures and how they’ve changed our world and contributed to the evolution of our humanity, it’s also important to acknowledge the people who are making history today. For this Black History Month, we’re highlighting modern black achievements  to not only acknowledge those who have made history, but to inspire and prove that anyone at any time, can leave their mark. 

Black History Month is a month dedicated to honoring the contributions and sacrifices of Black Americans who helped shape the nation. It’s also a month for celebrating Black Americans, their achievements, their culture, and their legacies. 

February was first officially recognized as Black History month in 1976 by President Gerald Ford. February was chosen because of Carter G Woodson, an American historian and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Woodson established Negro History Week as a week in February in 1926. He chose this because of both President Lincoln and Frederick Douglas having their birthdays celebrated in February. 

The first Black, first Asian American, and first female vice president. Starting her career as a deputy district attorney in California, Harris worked her way to become Attorney General of California, then a member of the U.S. Senate, and finally, in 2021, she was sworn in as the vice president. An achievement that only 48 other Americans have ever experienced and that marks many firsts for this country. 

The first and only Black driver in Formula 1 (F1) racing, and the first Black driver to win the F1 World Driver’s Championship. Not only that, but he also made history by having the F1 record for most career race victories and is tied for the most World Drivers’ Championships. Hamilton eventually created The Hamilton Commission, an organization dedicated to improving Black representation in UK motorsport. 

Harvard Assistant Professor of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Dr. Corbett was the lead scientist on the mRNA-1273 vaccine (more regularly known as a part of the Moderna vaccine). At just 35 years old, Dr. Corbett earned a TIME Magazine Hero of the Year designation and has become recognized as a leader in science today. 

Ryan Coogler is the first Black director of a Marvel film. While this may seem niche, Marvel is the highest-grossing movie franchise of all time with Coogler’s Black Panther being the 18th movie to be released in the franchise. Coogler has since also directed Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and, outside of the Marvel franchise, is notable for directing the Creed movie series as well. Even after 30+ Marvel movies have been released, Black Panther stands as Marvel’s 6th highest grossing film. 

Nia DaCosta is the first Black female director of a Marvel film with her film, Captain Marvel, being the 21st movie of the Marvel franchise. She will make her return to Marvel with the upcoming The Marvels. DaCosta is also known for directing Candyman. 

The first person to be named National Youth Poet Laureate and the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. Gorman’s work highlights important social and political issues and inspires others to strive for a better future. To quote Gorman, “There is always light. If only we’re brave enough to see it. If we’re only brave enough to be it.”

The most decorated gymnast in World Championships history, with a total of 32 World and Olympic medals. She is the first woman to win five world all-around titles, three World balance beam titles, and five World floor exercise titles. Biles even (accidentally) became a mental health advocate for athletes, when she opted out of competing for fear for her safety due to her mental health state in the Tokyo 2020 olympics. 

Ta-Nehisi Coates is a renowned journalist, writer, and author who has been recognized with countless awards for his thought-provoking writing on race and politics in the United States. His nonfiction book, Between The World and Me, urges the discussion of feelings, symbolism, and realities of being Black in the United States. 

Former Georgia State Representative, Stacey Abrams, is the first Black woman to lead in the Georgia General Assembly. She is a voting rights activist and an author who has won awards for her work on social justice. She founded Fair Fight, an organization promoting fair elections across the United States. 

These individuals represent just a fraction of the many Black individuals who have made significant contributions and achieved notable milestones in the United States in recent years. Their accomplishments in fields ranging from politics to sports, business to science, and art to activism continue to inspire and empower future generations of Americans. These achievements demonstrate the strength, resilience, and impact of Black individuals in the United States today and give us hope for the future. 

Modern Black Achievements

Recycling is something we have all heard of and hopefully practice – you know, separating paper, cardboard, plastics from the trash and tossing it in that big blue bin. It has become an increasingly important issue for Gen Z and for good reason. Gen Z has grown up in a world facing environmental challenges like pollution, environmental depletion, and of course climate change. Naturally, positively impacting the earth from an environmental standpoint is a huge priority and what better way to start out than with garbage. You might have heard of “wishcycling” from on of our other blogs, which explains that only 5% to 6% of all recyclables in the United States are actually recycled! What happens to the rest? Sadly, a lot of times it gets mixed in with the other garbage and sent off to landfills.

The first step is to understand that recycling looks different depending on where you are. For starters, each US state (and country) has its own recycling laws, procedures, and facilities that allow them to properly sort and recycle various materials. The main reason these even differ from state to state is because of each state’s infrastructure. Based on their infrastructure, they can only handle so much recycling and the resources they have greatly impact their ability to recycle properly. The best thing you can do is find out what the recycling laws are where you live, so you can recycle properly. 

Another way you can help to minimize waste, which is ultimately what recycling is all about, is to use less disposable items. For example, you likely remember the large fuss about plastic straws. Use them once and then throw them away, that’s a huge waste! In many places, one time use of plastic bags and non-biodegradable plastic silverware is not allowed. That is why you will notice many take out packaging and cutlery is biodegradable or even recyclable.

The main benefit of recycling is that it helps reduce the amount of waste and chemicals that ends up in landfills and therefore in the environment. Not only are landfills ugly and smell bad, but they also release large amounts of methane. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is the main contributor to climate change. By recycling materials such as paper, plastic, and metal, we can greatly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and produces more methane. Not only does this help mitigate the effects of climate change, but it also helps create a more sustainable future.

Another great benefit of recycling that is often overlooked is its preservation qualities. By recycling materials like paper, we have less of a need to cut down more trees. Recycling essentially keeps materials in circulation, which therefore helps preserve the environment. Recycling does not only benefit paper, it also benefits other raw materials required to make things like plastic and metal (which uses a lot of oil and minerals, not to mention the energy needed to harvest and reform these raw materials). Plastic is rightfully villainized because once it is made, it never decomposes, which means it will exist on this earth forever… unless it is recycled!

Eventually, some resources will grow back. Trees are the prime example of this. Other materials like certain minerals and oils are finite, which means that once we run out, we are out! By recycling, we can ensure that we are using these precious resources more efficiently and that they will be available for future generations to come.

Recycling can also have many economic benefits. Taking recycling more seriously would help stimulate jobs inside and outside of the recycling industry. Somebody needs to build the infrastructure and keep it running, creating more jobs in the short and long term. Additionally, recycling can save a lot of energy required to make products from scratch! For example, recycling aluminium cans can save up to 95% of the energy needed to produce new cans. Not only does this save production costs, which saves businesses money, but it would also end up saving the consumer money as well!

Recycling is a step towards a greener planet and a greener society if done correctly of course. Reducing waste through recycling can help reduce pollution and improve the air and water quality, which benefits literally everyone. It benefits the animals and wildlife, as well as the humans equally as much. A cleaner planet is a healthier planet and a healthier planet means healthier people. It goes further than just preserving the current wildlife we have (which is incredibly important for our planet's biodiversity and balance of nature), it also greatly affects what people consume.

If you are a vegetarian or a vegan, skip this paragraph. Having a healthier planet means that animals get more nutrition from their food, keeping them happier and healthier. If you happen to eat meat, this means your food would be better for you too. Not to mention that animals play a huge role in fertilizing and sowing the land, creating fresher fruits and vegetables for everyone to enjoy!

Recycling has so many benefits it is hard to keep track of them all. If one thing can become clear from this blog and from Gen Z’s perspective, it is that recycling is important and should be practiced all over the world – no matter where you are.

The Importance of Recycling to Gen Z

Around holiday time, everyone everywhere gets totally crazed and wrapped up gift-giving (no pun intended). And most often, people are focused on what they want to receive, rather than what they want to give. While of course, it’s fun picking up some gifts for family and friends if you have the ability to, but what about your community? Another place that gives to you every day. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can give back to your community and make a positive impact this year and every other holiday season.

Have you ever been having a mediocre day that was turned around by sharing a quick, but warm, interaction with someone else? Maybe someone held the door open for you? Or maybe you ran into an old friend? Perhaps the barista giving you your coffee was just extra bubbly and chatty that day? Or you happened to share a funny moment with a friendly stranger? Chances are that you cracked a smile and that small interaction made your day at least a little bit better. Sharing good news is always a great thing. Good news does not mean bragging, it just means sharing good energy with the people you interact with. After all, smiles are contagious too.

What better way to give back to your community than to volunteer your time towards it! Every community has its own needs and initiatives. For example, if you live in a beach town or near a huge lake, you likely have beach clean-ups. If you live in a city, there are often soup kitchens or food banks. It can actually be quite interesting to look into your local volunteer initiatives. And in every community there are shelters for those in need that you can volunteer at or kids you can help to tutor or mentor for example. These places can always use an extra hand.

Regardless of the belief that vampires do indeed exist and run blood donation organizations worldwide (kidding), most of the blood that is donated at blood drives actually makes it to the people in need. Blood drives are extremely important, because, as you can imagine, clean and healthy blood is always in demand and by donating blood you can save another person’s life. It does not hurt and is actually healthy for you to donate blood (if you are able to) because it allows your body to replenish itself by creating fresh blood! Donating blood helps keep you and your community healthy! Plus, there are always free cookies and juice – what more could you ask for.

Yubo's Take

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