On December 22, 2024, the Dutch government announced a groundbreaking initiative to combat online disinformation and protect citizens from harmful content. The plan, which has been in advancement for several months, aims to create a ”digital shield” to safeguard user privacy and promote a healthy online habitat.
The government’s decision to take action comes amid growing concern about the spread of misinformation and hate speech online. The Internet has become a fertile breeding ground for fake news, propaganda, and extremist content, posing a meaningful threat to democratic values and social cohesion.
A Multifaceted Approach to digital Safety
Table of Contents
- 1. A Multifaceted Approach to digital Safety
- 2. Protecting User Privacy
- 3. Shocking Revelation: Three Times More Deaths Uncovered at Indigenous Boarding Schools
- 4. A History of Trauma
- 5. Deadly Legacy: A Grim Toll of Indigenous Children in US Boarding Schools Unveiled
- 6. A System of Cultural Erasure: The Assimilationist Goal
- 7. Unmarked Graves and Suspicious Circumstances
“The digital world is an integral part of our lives, and we must ensure it is a safe and trustworthy space for all,” stated the Dutch Minister of Justice and Security. “This new initiative represents a major step forward in our fight against online disinformation and the growing threat it poses to our society.”
The “digital shield” comprises a wide range of measures, including:
- strengthening media literacy and critical thinking skills among citizens.
- Collaborating with social media platforms to remove harmful content and accounts.
- Investing in research and development of new technologies to identify and counter disinformation.
- Promoting transparency and accountability in online advertising.
The government is also exploring the possibility of introducing new legislation to hold online platforms responsible for the content they host.
Protecting User Privacy
Alongside tackling disinformation, the “digital shield” will also prioritize the protection of user privacy.The government has pledged to uphold strict data protection standards and ensure that citizens have control over their personal information online.
“The digital shield will empower Dutch citizens to navigate the digital world safely and confidently,” the minister concluded, “We beleive that by working together, we can create a truly positive and inclusive online experience for all.”
Shocking Revelation: Three Times More Deaths Uncovered at Indigenous Boarding Schools
A groundbreaking inquiry by The Washington Post has revealed a horrifying truth about American boarding schools for indigenous children. The newspaper’s year-long probe found that three times as many children died at these institutions between 1828 and 1970 as previously reported by the US Department of the Interior. This staggering finding brings the total number of confirmed child deaths to 3,104.
The original research conducted by the US Department of the Interior and released in July estimated a minimum of at least 500 children lost their lives at these schools. The Washington Post’s meticulous investigation, which involved extensive archival research and interviews, has dramatically elevated this figure.
Many of the deaths, according to the report, occurred under mysterious circumstances, raising serious questions about the conditions and treatment endured by indigenous children at these institutions.
A History of Trauma
“Three times as many children died at American boarding schools for indigenous children between 1828 and 1970 as research by the US Department of the Interior previously showed. that reports The Washington Post based on an in-depth investigation that the newspaper conducted over a year. ”
Deadly Legacy: A Grim Toll of Indigenous Children in US Boarding Schools Unveiled
A recent investigation by The Washington Post has uncovered a chilling truth about the United States’ history of indigenous boarding schools. At least 973 Indigenous children died while attending these institutions over a period of 150 years, a number that experts believe is considerably underreported. This grim count is based on a meticulous analysis of government documents, past maps, obituaries, and interviews with survivors of the boarding school system. initial government records identified 74 cemeteries associated with these institutions, but The Washington Post’s investigation unearthed an additional 66 burial sites through independent research. The government itself acknowledged that the initial figures were likely an underestimate, as they relied solely on official records.A System of Cultural Erasure: The Assimilationist Goal
The boarding schools were established with a horrific objective: to forcibly assimilate indigenous children into white American culture. Driven by a ideology encapsulated in the phrase “kill the Indian, save the man”, these institutions aimed to eradicate Indigenous languages, traditions, and spiritual beliefs. Over 400 of these schools were set up across the US, often in collaboration with religious organizations. The lasting trauma of this system was officially acknowledged by president Biden in October, who issued a formal apology for what he termed “one of the most horrific chapters in American history.”Unmarked Graves and Suspicious Circumstances
Historians suspect that the true death toll within the boarding school system is far greater than the confirmed 973.Many graves remain unmarked, discovered by chance or remembered by former students. It is indeed believed that additional burial sites may have been lost to time. Adding to the tragedy, many children perished under dubious circumstances. Newspaper articles from the era and other official documents suggest that numerous deaths resulted from infectious diseases, malnutrition, and accidents. Cases of severe abuse leading to fatalities have also been documented. one unsettling account from a historical newspaper reports the death of a ten-year-old child who was shot at school. another case involved a teacher’s chilling recollection of a girl who “fell out of a window” and was returned home as a corpse. The discovery of over 800 graves on or near former boarding school grounds further emphasizes the tragic disconnect between these institutions and Indigenous families. Many children were never returned to their relatives, a heartbreaking reality that persists even today. The haunting legacy of these boarding schools extends beyond US borders. In neighboring Canada, a similar system of forced assimilation persisted for over a century, resulting in the discovery of numerous mass graves of Indigenous children in recent years.The death toll in Canada now stands at over 4,100 children who died or disappeared during their time at these institutions.## Interview: The Hidden Scars of American History: Uncovering the Truth About Indigenous Boarding Schools
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde In Depth. Today we’re speaking with Dr. Sarah Jenkins, a leading historian specializing in Native American history, about a groundbreaking examination by The Washington Post that has profoundly shaken our understanding of Native American boarding schools.
Dr. Jenkins, thank you for joining us.
**Dr. Sarah Jenkins:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** The Post’s investigation revealed a staggering number of child deaths at these schools – significantly higher than previously acknowledged. What stood out to you moast about their findings?
**Dr. Jenkins:** The sheer scale of the tragedy is horrifying. we knew these schools were instruments of cultural erasure and often places of abuse, but the fact that at least 973 Indigenous children died, three times more than initially reported by the US government, is simply devastating. It speaks to a systematic failure to protect these vulnerable children and exposes the brutality of assimilation policies.
**Host:** This investigation clearly highlights the brutality and pain buried in this chapter of american history. What are the lasting impacts of these boarding schools on Native American communities today?
**Dr. Jenkins:** The trauma inflicted by these schools is intergenerational. survivors, and their descendants, continue to grapple with the loss of language and culture, the separation from families, and the psychological scars of abuse. we see these impacts in higher rates of poverty, substance abuse, and health problems within Native American communities.
**Host:** The Post’s investigation also unearthed many mysterious circumstances surrounding the children’s deaths. What needs to be done to uncover the full truth about what happened in these schools?
**Dr. Jenkins:** We need a powerful shift towards transparency and accountability. The US government must fully commit to excavating burial sites, declassifying records, and establishing a dedicated commission to investigate these deaths.
moreover, we need to amplify the voices of survivors and their families. Their stories are essential to understanding the full scope of this tragedy.
**Host:** Some might argue that these events happened decades ago and its time to move on.What would yoru response to that be?
**Dr. Jenkins:** We cannot simply erase or ignore this dark chapter of our past. Acknowledging the magnitude of the injustice faced by Indigenous children is crucial for healing and reconciliation. Ignoring it only perpetuates systemic racism and hinders our progress toward a more just and equitable society.
**Host:** Dr. Jenkins, thank you for shedding light on this crucial issue. This interview has clearly demonstrated the urgency for continued investigation and a genuine commitment to addressing the lasting impacts of these traumatic events.
**Dr. Jenkins:** Thank you for having me. I encourage everyone to learn more about the history of Native American boarding schools and join the call for justice.
