Paul Byron
@paulibyron.bsky.social
Social media researcher, Gadigal country (aka Sydney)
Researching friendship, care, LGBTQ+ peer support, young people, mental health, porn literacies, hook-up apps.
https://profiles.uts.edu.au/paul.byron
Researching friendship, care, LGBTQ+ peer support, young people, mental health, porn literacies, hook-up apps.
https://profiles.uts.edu.au/paul.byron
Pinned
Supporting LGBTQ+ young people on social media in times of heightened visibility: challenges, opportunities, strategies
This article explores how LGBTQ+ young people, service providers, and influential LGBTQ+ peers navigate social media visibility in the contemporary political and media climate. Framed by intense po...
www.tandfonline.com
New paper, led by @jngardiner.bsky.social. We look at queer & trans visibility on social media and negotiations of safety for LGBTQ+ young people - drawing from interviews with young people, service providers and LGBTQ+ creators. Reach out if you'd like a copy www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Paul Byron
“Abolishing gender programs & the lessons they have taught, will, Trump & his acolytes hope, undermine our ability not just to condemn, but also to critically analyze the policies & practices they want to impose.”
Must Read by Joan Scott, member of the AAUP’s Committee on Academic Freedom.
Must Read by Joan Scott, member of the AAUP’s Committee on Academic Freedom.
Gender studies courses are shutting down across the US. The Epstein files reveal why | Joan Wallach Scott
Texas A&M University is the latest school to end women’s and gender studies programs and teaching race. We know why
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 5:06 PM
“Abolishing gender programs & the lessons they have taught, will, Trump & his acolytes hope, undermine our ability not just to condemn, but also to critically analyze the policies & practices they want to impose.”
Must Read by Joan Scott, member of the AAUP’s Committee on Academic Freedom.
Must Read by Joan Scott, member of the AAUP’s Committee on Academic Freedom.
Reposted by Paul Byron
A must read piece on the increasing misuse, watering down and co-opting of Cultural Safety - a First Nations designed health framework. overland.org.au/2026/02/on-t...
On the misuse of Cultural Safety - Overland literary journal
Since its original formulation and application in the health sector in Aotearoa New Zealand in the 1980s, Cultural Safety has been subject to wide reinterpretation. Its entry into institutional life m...
overland.org.au
February 16, 2026 at 2:37 AM
A must read piece on the increasing misuse, watering down and co-opting of Cultural Safety - a First Nations designed health framework. overland.org.au/2026/02/on-t...
"Many people rely on anonymity to speak freely. LGBTQ+ youth, survivors of abuse, political dissidents, and countless others use aliases to explore identity, find support, and build community safely. When identity checks become a condition of participation, many users will simply opt out."
Lawmakers across the world that are considering bills that would make Discord’s approach the norm for every platform should watch this backlash and similarly move away from age verification mandates. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Discord Voluntarily Pushes Mandatory Age Verification Despite Recent
Discord has begun rolling out mandatory age verification and the internet is, understandably, freaking out. We’ve written extensively about why age verification mandates are a censorship and
www.eff.org
February 16, 2026 at 5:14 AM
"Many people rely on anonymity to speak freely. LGBTQ+ youth, survivors of abuse, political dissidents, and countless others use aliases to explore identity, find support, and build community safely. When identity checks become a condition of participation, many users will simply opt out."
Reposted by Paul Byron
One thing that’s cool about our current system is how it creates things that people don’t want or need, and also those things are bad for us.
February 11, 2026 at 11:38 PM
One thing that’s cool about our current system is how it creates things that people don’t want or need, and also those things are bad for us.
Reposted by Paul Byron
Every photo from Minneapolis looks like this. Cops decked out with guns and full tac gear facing off against people in bathrobes, parkas, and sweatpants armed only with whistles and cell phones.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
February 11, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Every photo from Minneapolis looks like this. Cops decked out with guns and full tac gear facing off against people in bathrobes, parkas, and sweatpants armed only with whistles and cell phones.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Reposted by Paul Byron
Looking for alternatives to Gmail and G-Drive?
Two years ago I switched to #Posteo for emails and to @nextcloud.bsky.social for personal online storage (via #Hetzner).
It costs me the equivalent of a good flat white per month & gives me peace of mind that my personal data isn't scraped or abused.
Two years ago I switched to #Posteo for emails and to @nextcloud.bsky.social for personal online storage (via #Hetzner).
It costs me the equivalent of a good flat white per month & gives me peace of mind that my personal data isn't scraped or abused.
More reports of Gmail turning over email content to ICE are coming out now.
techcrunch.com/2026/02/10/g...
techcrunch.com/2026/02/10/g...
Google sent personal and financial information of student journalist to ICE | TechCrunch
The tech giant handed over the personal information of a journalist and student who attended a pro-Palestinian protest in 2024. This is the latest example of ICE using its controversial subpoena power...
techcrunch.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:42 AM
Looking for alternatives to Gmail and G-Drive?
Two years ago I switched to #Posteo for emails and to @nextcloud.bsky.social for personal online storage (via #Hetzner).
It costs me the equivalent of a good flat white per month & gives me peace of mind that my personal data isn't scraped or abused.
Two years ago I switched to #Posteo for emails and to @nextcloud.bsky.social for personal online storage (via #Hetzner).
It costs me the equivalent of a good flat white per month & gives me peace of mind that my personal data isn't scraped or abused.
Reposted by Paul Byron
Really good article by @bronicee.bsky.social on the world's largest data centre to be built in Sydney and its environmental impact. Spoiler: it's massive! But at least we'll have funny videos of dogs dancing while we burn... 😌
stories.theconversation.com/can-australi...
@aunz.theconversation.com
stories.theconversation.com/can-australi...
@aunz.theconversation.com
Can Australia build one of the world’s largest data centres?
Even if we can pull of the logistical feat, given the social and environmental impact, the question remains: should we?
stories.theconversation.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:49 AM
Really good article by @bronicee.bsky.social on the world's largest data centre to be built in Sydney and its environmental impact. Spoiler: it's massive! But at least we'll have funny videos of dogs dancing while we burn... 😌
stories.theconversation.com/can-australi...
@aunz.theconversation.com
stories.theconversation.com/can-australi...
@aunz.theconversation.com
Reposted by Paul Byron
“Four of my children just evaporated,” Badran said, holding back tears. “I looked for them a million times. Not a piece was left. Where did they go?”
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
Israel used weapons in Gaza that made thousands of Palestinians evaporate
US-made thermal weapons burning at 3,500C caused 2,842 people to "evaporate" in Gaza, Al Jazeera investigation finds.
www.aljazeera.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:29 PM
“Four of my children just evaporated,” Badran said, holding back tears. “I looked for them a million times. Not a piece was left. Where did they go?”
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
There are no words to adequately describe the evil here.
This is why you're better off getting your news from TikTok. It's not ideal, but better than PR-coded journalism in which politicians solely focus on defending their horrible decisions. Check the footage.
Was there ever any doubt this is how the media would report the protests? Was there ever any doubt that the PM would wheel out his "more in sorrow than in anger" schtick and side with the police?
February 9, 2026 at 10:46 PM
This is why you're better off getting your news from TikTok. It's not ideal, but better than PR-coded journalism in which politicians solely focus on defending their horrible decisions. Check the footage.
Reposted by Paul Byron
EFF is against age verification mandates, including Discord's new policy requiring face scans or IDs for full access to the platform. Here are some things to consider if you're planning to continue using Discord next month. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
So, You’ve Hit an Age Gate. What Now?
EFF is against age gating and age verification mandates, and we hope we’ll win in getting existing ones overturned and new ones prevented. But mandates are already in effect, and every day many
www.eff.org
February 9, 2026 at 8:31 PM
EFF is against age verification mandates, including Discord's new policy requiring face scans or IDs for full access to the platform. Here are some things to consider if you're planning to continue using Discord next month. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Reposted by Paul Byron
I don't have much to add that other folks haven't said, but as a historian of the queer internet, this doesn't surprise me at all. LGBTQ users are convenient corporate props...until they're not worth protecting.
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Age verification for all.
buff.ly
February 9, 2026 at 8:41 PM
I don't have much to add that other folks haven't said, but as a historian of the queer internet, this doesn't surprise me at all. LGBTQ users are convenient corporate props...until they're not worth protecting.
Reposted by Paul Byron
"[D]o you fundamentally achieve public safety by trying to repress protests, by trying to prevent street processions, by creating a legal regime where there’s no independent arbiter or are in fact those things potentially quite dangerous to community safety?"
Good questions. #auslaw #nswpol
Good questions. #auslaw #nswpol
February 9, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Reposted by Paul Byron
Oh man i just realized all of those discord channels that replaced entire websites, forums, and wikis are going to just vanish and internet archive can't archive them
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month - all accounts set to "teen-appropriate experience" by default www.theverge.com/tech/875309/...
discord.com/press-releas...
discord.com/press-releas...
February 9, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Oh man i just realized all of those discord channels that replaced entire websites, forums, and wikis are going to just vanish and internet archive can't archive them
Reposted by Paul Byron
I very genuinely do not think that Australia's media industry can be classified as any other than fully supportive of police violence, because you have to actively, consciously and knowingly work to frame what happened as general "violence mars protests" rather than "police violently attack protest"
February 9, 2026 at 8:59 PM
I very genuinely do not think that Australia's media industry can be classified as any other than fully supportive of police violence, because you have to actively, consciously and knowingly work to frame what happened as general "violence mars protests" rather than "police violently attack protest"
Reposted by Paul Byron
So regardless of intentions, @australianlabor.bsky.social and state govs are normalising undemocratic powers that may deepen division rather than resolve it. Democracies are strongest not when they suppress conflict, but when they allow it to be argued, contested, and worked through in the open.
February 8, 2026 at 11:44 PM
So regardless of intentions, @australianlabor.bsky.social and state govs are normalising undemocratic powers that may deepen division rather than resolve it. Democracies are strongest not when they suppress conflict, but when they allow it to be argued, contested, and worked through in the open.
Powerful, incisive, and informed writing here (i.e. something you won't find in the legacy media cited here)
I wrote about the impending state visit from apartheid Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog. sakr.substack.com/p/labor-is-c...
Labor Is Complicit in Genocide
Isaac Herzog's welcome completes the picture
sakr.substack.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:34 AM
Powerful, incisive, and informed writing here (i.e. something you won't find in the legacy media cited here)
Reposted by Paul Byron
Proud to be a signatory.
This open letter is in SMH and Age.
This open letter is in SMH and Age.
February 8, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Proud to be a signatory.
This open letter is in SMH and Age.
This open letter is in SMH and Age.
Reposted by Paul Byron
Let's be real, we cannot abolish ICE under this administration. But we can start the process by taking away the tools they’re using to surveil and target our communities. Push to defund them until abolishment is possible. www.fightforthefuture.org/actions/no-f...
No Funding for ICE Surveillance Tech!
www.fightforthefuture.org
February 4, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Let's be real, we cannot abolish ICE under this administration. But we can start the process by taking away the tools they’re using to surveil and target our communities. Push to defund them until abolishment is possible. www.fightforthefuture.org/actions/no-f...
Reposted by Paul Byron
ID checking for online services has been the dogwhistle for internet censorship for longer THAN I HAVE BEEN ALIVE
Don’t believe the claims about ‘kids safety’ behind the push for Online ID checks. They are and always have been about surveillance and censorship.
@cassiewillson.bsky.social is spot on in this video
@cassiewillson.bsky.social is spot on in this video
February 4, 2026 at 10:55 PM
ID checking for online services has been the dogwhistle for internet censorship for longer THAN I HAVE BEEN ALIVE
Reposted by Paul Byron
PhD scholarship applications are open for a project investigating how public opinion is formed in online spaces, with a focus on the deliberative quality of discussions, social influence dynamics, and platform affordances and governance across major digital platforms.
www.qut.edu.au/study/fees-a...
www.qut.edu.au/study/fees-a...
QUT - Strengthening Public Opinion Formation Amid Digital Threats (PhD scholarship)
www.qut.edu.au
February 4, 2026 at 3:18 AM
PhD scholarship applications are open for a project investigating how public opinion is formed in online spaces, with a focus on the deliberative quality of discussions, social influence dynamics, and platform affordances and governance across major digital platforms.
www.qut.edu.au/study/fees-a...
www.qut.edu.au/study/fees-a...
Reposted by Paul Byron
Oxford University Press has lifted the paywall on the entire 40 year archive of @healthpromint.bsky.social as part of our flip to fully open access!
Check out the amazing work of our authors - free to read - here:
academic.oup.com/heapro
Check out the amazing work of our authors - free to read - here:
academic.oup.com/heapro
Health Promotion International | Oxford Academic
Publishes papers on major themes and innovations in the health promotion field. The journal publishes contributions from sectors beyond health, and seeks to promote theoretical, methodological, and ac...
academic.oup.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:46 AM
Oxford University Press has lifted the paywall on the entire 40 year archive of @healthpromint.bsky.social as part of our flip to fully open access!
Check out the amazing work of our authors - free to read - here:
academic.oup.com/heapro
Check out the amazing work of our authors - free to read - here:
academic.oup.com/heapro
Reposted by Paul Byron
CFP: Transnational Queer and Feminist Archives
This collection seeks to publish work demonstrating transnational strategies for preserving queer and feminist activist archives.
Abstracts due: 30 March 17:00 PST
Learn more: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
🏳️⚧️🌈🗃️
(no affiliation)
This collection seeks to publish work demonstrating transnational strategies for preserving queer and feminist activist archives.
Abstracts due: 30 March 17:00 PST
Learn more: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
🏳️⚧️🌈🗃️
(no affiliation)
TransnationalQueerFeministArchives_CFP2025
With apologies for cross posting, please find below the CFP for the proposed collection, Transnational Queer and Feminist Archives. Abstracts Due Monday March 30, 17:00 PST Please send abstract and 1...
docs.google.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:31 PM
CFP: Transnational Queer and Feminist Archives
This collection seeks to publish work demonstrating transnational strategies for preserving queer and feminist activist archives.
Abstracts due: 30 March 17:00 PST
Learn more: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
🏳️⚧️🌈🗃️
(no affiliation)
This collection seeks to publish work demonstrating transnational strategies for preserving queer and feminist activist archives.
Abstracts due: 30 March 17:00 PST
Learn more: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
🏳️⚧️🌈🗃️
(no affiliation)
New paper, led by @jngardiner.bsky.social. We look at queer & trans visibility on social media and negotiations of safety for LGBTQ+ young people - drawing from interviews with young people, service providers and LGBTQ+ creators. Reach out if you'd like a copy www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Supporting LGBTQ+ young people on social media in times of heightened visibility: challenges, opportunities, strategies
This article explores how LGBTQ+ young people, service providers, and influential LGBTQ+ peers navigate social media visibility in the contemporary political and media climate. Framed by intense po...
www.tandfonline.com
January 19, 2026 at 11:58 PM
New paper, led by @jngardiner.bsky.social. We look at queer & trans visibility on social media and negotiations of safety for LGBTQ+ young people - drawing from interviews with young people, service providers and LGBTQ+ creators. Reach out if you'd like a copy www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Paul Byron
Louise Adler pulls no punches here and she is absolutely spot on. "The increasingly extreme and repressive efforts of pro-Israel lobbyists to stifle even the mildest criticism has had a chilling effect on free speech and democratic institutions."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I cannot be party to silencing writers, which is why I am resigning as director of Adelaide Writers’ Week | Louise Adler
Cancelling the Australian Palestinian author Randa Abdel-Fattah weakens freedom of speech and is the harbinger of a less free nation
www.theguardian.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Louise Adler pulls no punches here and she is absolutely spot on. "The increasingly extreme and repressive efforts of pro-Israel lobbyists to stifle even the mildest criticism has had a chilling effect on free speech and democratic institutions."
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...