Behind the Screens

How the internet works and how to make it work for you

Niraj Lal, Aska

• Publisher: University of Queensland Press
• eBook ISBN:
  9780702270444
• Year: 2026

The internet is one of the most life-changing inventions in history. But there are things happening behind the screens that are changing how we behave: influencing what we buy, what we' re interested in and how long we stay online. As we start using the internet and AI to do everything, it' s helpful to explore how the tech is using us a little too. Written by award-winning scientist Dr Niraj (Nij) Lal, host of the ABC's kids' podcast Imagine This, and illustrated by comic artist Aska, Behind the Screens is the must-have guide to help young people be online in the best way possible. This book explores: data collection and digital surveillance the power of algorithms a future with artificial intelligence the pros and cons of gaming and social media how to be happy and safe online. It answers 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?

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Dedication
• Imprint page
• Contents
• Welcome to the internet
• Chapter 1: How the internet works
• Chapter 2: FREE-dom!
• Chapter 3: Where’s my phone?!
• Chapter 4: Social (and unsocial) media
• Chapter 5: Game on or game over?
• Chapter 6: (e)Safety first
• Chapter 7: Being healthy with tech
• Chapter 8: What to believe
• Chapter 9: Artificial intelligence and you
• Chapter 10: Who’s watching?
• Chapter 11: The future internet
• Going forward
• Further reading
• Acknowledgements
• About the author and illustrator