Write a short summary of what happens in the radio or audio execution or campaign.
If you put yourself in a predator’s shoes and imagine a 100-person Fortnite match, you can quickly come to the conclusion that one of the easiest ways to single out young, innocent, approachable players is by their voice. With this in mind, we decided to make a small tweak in the usual gaming headsets and create a one-of-its-kind, innovative product, that modifies children’s voices so they sound significantly older.
By doing this, we can mask their ages and identities, stave off predators who are looking for potential victims and transform normal headsets into conversation starters, driving the gaming safety debate even further.
Cultural / Context information for the jury
More than 93% of kids play video games. And with the pandemic, children are spending more time in their rooms and, consequently, gaming. Uncoincidentally, reports of online sexual abuse are emerging with unprecedented frequency around the world, with some perpetrators grooming hundreds and even thousands of victims, according to a review of prosecutions, court records, law enforcement reports and academic studies.
It was time we did something about it. So, we decided to reimagine headsets and transform them into powerful tools and, most importantly, conversation starters. Because the only way we’ll end this issue is by talking to kids and making this a topic of discussion in every home.
Script. Provide the full to radio/audio script in English.
N/A. In this project, we did not create a conventional radio spot. Instead, we used the manipulation of audio to create an engaging tool that protects children while gaming and also raises awareness around gaming safety.
Explain how the work innovatively used the radio / audio medium.
The work innovatively uses audio to create a first-of-its-kind headset that protects children in online gaming platforms by making them sound older.
By joining voice-modifying technology with gaming headsets, we managed to use audio as a protective tool in our efforts of staving off predators who might be looking for targets. A simple change in the audio output of a child's voice can be what avoids a solicitation.