Gates Cambridge Scholar Nij Lal's new book for young people on understanding the online world is out in early February.
Nij has the rare ability to breakdown complex scientific processes in a way that little ones (and adults) can understand. Nij just gets it, he explains things so that kids (and producers) can understand. As far as science communicators go, Niraj is the whole package.
Brianna Peterson
Gates Cambridge Scholar Nij Lal is publishing a new book for young people to empower them to navigate the online world with awareness, responsibility and confidence.
His illustrated book Behind the screens: How the internet works and how to make it work for you is out on 3rd February and aims to help people aged 9-13 “be online in the best way possible”.
Nij [2008], an award-winning scientist who hosts ABC’s kids’ podcast Imagine This, has a long history of involvement in communicating science ideas dating back to his time at Cambridge where he did a PhD in Physics.
The book is illustrated by comic artist Aśka. It explores everything from data collection and digital surveillance and the power of algorithms to the pros and cons of gaming and social media and how to be happy and safe online.
It explores questions like:
· If YouTube, Instagram and TikTok are all free, how come their owners are some of the richest people on the planet?
· Why is it so hard to stop scrolling?
· How do I know who to trust on the internet?
· How can I avoid being tracked by tech companies?
Nij says: “The book’s aim is never to be too finger-wagging or apocalyptic or dull. But I wrote it for young people to read before they get a phone because I figured: if we can give them some knowledge about how things work, just as they’re starting out independently on the net and before they’re too siloed and addicted and rabbitholed and echochambered, then they’ll be empowered to better engage in the world and make better decisions about tech than the generation before them.”
An Australian National University Visiting Fellow who has appeared on Play School and Catalyst, Nij’s awards include the 2021 Celestino Eureka Prize for Promoting Understanding of Science and the 2022 Royal Societies of Australia and New Zealand Piasecki Prize for Outstanding Writing on Social Change.
Aśka is an award-winning graphic novelist, an ex-quantum physicist and a popular presenter who is passionate about visual literacy and teaching people how to ‘write with pictures’.
Brianna Peterson, Producer of ABC Kids Listen, says: “Nij has the rare ability to breakdown complex scientific processes in a way that little ones (and adults) can understand. Communicating science to three-year-olds is a challenge. As our mate Albert Einstein said: “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” Thankfully, Nij just gets it, he explains things so that kids (and producers) can understand. He also has the enthusiasm and presentation skills to communicate passionately to all age groups. As far as science communicators go, Niraj is the whole package.”
Imagine This recently reached 16+million listens and is now the most downloaded kids podcast in Australia. A new season is just out and episodes include: What are snot and boogers? What are nits and why do they make me itch? How do magnets work (with former Chief Scientist Cathy Foley), Why is there dew on everything in the morning? and How does sunscreen work?
