Needle in the Hashtag

The “Needle In The Hashtag – eSafety Hackathon” takes place from November 29–30 at Stone & Chalk in Melbourne, bringing together creators, technologists, and community-minded individuals to explore safer online spaces. Aligned with the UN’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, this hands-on event invites participants to investigate digital harms – such as bullying, misinformation, and toxic online behaviour – inside a simulated social network built for experimentation. No coding or technical experience is required, and mentors will guide teams as they turn insights into practical, people-first solutions.

Participants can design tools that detect early warning signs of harm, create friendly support pathways, test fairness and empathy in product design, and draft community guidelines that reduce abuse while keeping conversations open. The hackathon welcomes developers, designers, educators, mental health professionals, and first-time hackers alike. With curated datasets, expert coaching, prizes, and opportunities for recognition, it’s a collaborative space to learn, build, and contribute to digital wellbeing. Hosted by MLAI, this event blends creativity and purpose to make online communities safer and more inclusive.