Online Social Networks (OSNs) rely on content moderation systems to ensure platform and user safety by preventing malicious activities such as the spread of harmful content. However, there is a growing consensus suggesting that such systems are unfair to historically marginalized individuals, fragile users, and minorities. Additionally, OSN policies are often hardcoded in artificial intelligence–based violation classifiers, making personalized content moderation challenging. In addition, there is a need for more communication between users and platform administrators, especially in the case of disagreement about a moderation decision. To address these issues, we propose integrating content moderation systems with Large Language Models (LLMs) to enhance support for personal content moderation and improve user–platform communication. We also evaluate the content moderation capabilities of GPT 3.5 and LLaMa 2, comparing them with commercial products, as well as discuss the limitations of our approach and the open research directions.

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites offer a promising solution for ubiquitous connectivity and can be utilized in 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) for applications like IoT, autonomous driving, and rural communication. They are particularly suited for smart mobility in urban environments, where fast data transmission and real-time control of vehicles and infrastructure are crucial. In this study, we compare TCP protocols for satellite communication in smart mobility scenarios and propose a solution that uses a limited buffer size to reduce per-packet delays without affecting the throughput.

This short paper introduces a novel approach to mobile phone cases, addressing the demand for both protection and added functionality. Traditional cases often add bulk to phones without providing additional benefits. We propose smart cases that utilize unused space to integrate innovative features, focusing initially on wireless charging. By incorporating wireless charging capabilities, we offer a cost-effective solution for users seeking to enhance their devices without upgrading. Additionally, we explore the integration of various innovative ideas, resulting in two distinct variants: Variant 1, a wired solution for phones lacking wireless charging, and Variant 2, which leverages reverse charging technology for phones already equipped with wireless charging capabilities. Our research also delves into achieving wireless data transmission within these cases, employing generic modules to host FTP servers and assessing their real-time performance. This study outlines a framework for developing smart cases that not only protect but also enhance the functionality of mobile phones.

Reliable communications play a pivotal role in ensuring an efficient response and the coordination of recovery and rescue efforts. However, conventional communication methods may not always be accessible or dependable in such situations. In such circumstances, constellations of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites can provide high bandwidth capabilities with relatively low latency, making them well-suited for supporting on-the-ground disaster management teams. Satellites can either complement or replace terrestrial telecommunication infrastructures. In this context, reliance on the recently defined QUIC protocol allows for a seamless transition from terrestrial to satellite communication as needed. Therefore, we investigate the possible use of a dual-stack node architecture along with the employment of the QUIC transport protocol for emergency communications, assuming that the backhaul link used to transfer users’ applications data may need to be changed (seamlessly). We conduct an extensive emulation study, evaluating the performance of QUIC under varying queuing policies and Congestion Control Algorithm (CCA) behaviour, providing practical insights and recommendations to enhance the protocol’s efficiency and robustness. The key aspects and configurations of QUIC protocol stack are identified, presenting optimal communication configurations leveraging CoDel and BBR CCA.

The digital and mobile revolutions have changed the way people live their sexuality. Sexting, the practice of sending or receiving any sexually explicit content through mobile devices, has gained popularity, especially amongst teenagers and young adults, bringing several concerns, such as the uncontrolled spread of personal nude or semi-nude media without the owner's consent. Moreover, messaging applications generally used to communicate (and practice sexting) are not safe enough, e.g., they permit to send and forward any received content to anyone else. In this scenario, we believe that, beside education, technological solutions should be devised to avoid or limit sexting abuse. To this aim, we have developedSafeSext, a proof of concept messaging system, which also implements an image forwarding control feature. Through it, we have analyzed possible solutions, as well as their limits, in supporting a safer messaging environment where users retain some form of control over the forwarding of their self-generated sensitive contents.

Cities have been developed to support cars rather than people. This has led to a decrease in people's ability to move, live and interact with their urban surroundings., thus affecting the quality-of-life. Obviously., this applies to all of us, especially to people suffering from impairments. Surprisingly, the lack of information is one of the main obstacles to the construction of services that could bridge the gap between people living in urban areas and their environment. Take Google Maps as an example; one can request a route between any two destinations and will surely be provided with the shortest path, whether traveling by car, public transportation, or on foot. However, there are no pathways or information available to help visually impaired people. In response to the above issue, in this paper, we discuss how the widespread presence of sensor-equipped smartphones can be harnessed to create innovative services capable of improving factors such as interaction with the environment, social inclusion, and quality of life.

The United Nations defined 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to foster equitable, healthy, inclusive and safe communities. Clearly, they involve even social networks and, in particular, the sexuality expressed through them. For instance, consider sexting, the practice of sharing self-generated explicit content through mobile devices. Besides its popularity, this phenomenon carries several concerns, such as the possible damages caused by the spread of personal nude or semi-nude images without the owner’s consent. Unfortunately, messaging applications generally used to practice sexting are not safe enough as they permit to share any received content with anyone else. Aimed at preventing sexting-related adverse consequences for the wellness of people and creating safer, gender-equal and inclusive online communities, we discuss possible technological approaches to contrast the non-consensual spread of private self-generated content and, in particular, we analyse the impact of employing decentralised architectures in this context.

Sexting, the practice of sending and receiving self-generated sexually explicit contents via mobile phone, is becoming more and more popular among the young generation, although at the cost of risking the exposure of their private material. Teenagers are not the only category at risk: one may wonder whether this practice can be even more dangerous for people with disabilities or an opportunity for them to explore their sexuality in an exposure-controlled way. In this work, we present preliminary results of an analysis regarding sexting through multimedia and how its use is perceived. Furthermore, without denying that it is crucial to educate people about the best behaviours and the drawbacks related to sexting, yet we believe that technology could help users in controlling the dissemination/forwarding of their sexy selfies and we discuss here how.

Smartphones have become popular also due to the innovative pervasive services they enable thanks to their sensors and ubiquitous connectivity. In this paper we present an innovative app merging the real world with the virtual one thanks to the possibility to link users’ generated media with specific geographic locations. Our app is a proof of concept built on Android OS and allows users to post geolocated media pinning them on specific coordinates. Other users can interact with these media by consuming them, leaving comments or adding new ones. Furthermore, users can contribute to extending their visibility by upvoting them, bringing a social component to the mix.