Latest Stories from Charlie
Gen Z’s skills seem to be on the decline…but why?
According to the latest data from the OECD’s 2025 PISA report, Gen Z’s academic skills are falling behind, with literacy, mathematics, and science skills all underdeveloped compared to students from ten years ago. What’s causing the change? New research suggests that Gen Z is struggling to develop basic academic skills compared to students from previous generations. According to the OECD’s 2025 PISA report, published this week, reading levels for teenagers...
Is Gen Z running out of friends?
New research in the UK has found that young people are now five times more likely to have ‘no close friendships’ compared to 2014. Experts believe it is a mix of austerity, economic hardship, TikTok, and a loss of self-esteem that has caused a perfect storm of isolation. What can Gen Z do? Is Gen Z facing a social crisis? A new report by the Institute for Public Policy...
Booking.com vulnerability exposed by fake Downing Street listing
Researchers from consumer group ‘Which?’ say they’ve successfully listed 10 Downing Street on Booking.com as part of a security test. The property was ‘available’ for two months before being removed. Fancy a stay on Downing Street? Consider yourself a future Prime Minister and need to trial run your accommodation? We’ve got you covered. Well, not really, but consumer group ‘Which?’ says it successfully listed 10 Downing Street on popular property and...
Shein disappoints after going public on Hong Kong stock market
After struggling to go public in both the US and UK, Shein saw its shares fall in a disappointing Hong Kong stock market debut. It suggests the company is unlikely to keep its fast-fashion, low-cost business model intact amid intense scrutiny and competition. Fast-fashion company Shein saw its shares fall by roughly 10% during early trading on the Hong Kong stock market this week. Co-founder of Shein Global Holdings, Sky Xu...
Did Meta fail to protect Gen Z?
here’s to a better Meta (supposedly) Mark Zuckerberg’s tech firm Meta - the owners of Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook - has agreed on an $18 billion USD settlement to resolve claims that its platforms actively harmed children. Was it right to do so? Meta, the tech company that owns Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook, has agreed to an $18 billion USD settlement with US states and territories, resolving claims that its platforms have...
AI songs to be banned from Australian charts
After months of escalating concerns that AI music is flooding streaming platforms like Spotify, the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has said it will be banning any tracks that are not human-made from the charts. The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) has announced that songs made predominantly using AI tools are to be banned from the charts. Starting immediately, all songs must be ‘substantially human-made’ to count in the chart listings....
What’s going on with Meta glasses?
In the UK, Meta’s AI smart glasses have been banned in courts, restaurants, and pubs, largely due to privacy concerns and reports of wearers secretly filming others without their knowledge. What might it mean for the tech’s future? As of last week, Meta’s AI smart glasses have been banned in courts, restaurants, and some pubs, at least in the UK. It follows a turbulent year for Zuckerberg’s latest tech venture....
Studying the social media spectacle of a solar eclipse
glasses at the ready, everyone A major solar eclipse set social media ablaze this week, as Europeans geared up for a ‘once-in-a-generation’ celestial event. Opinions were mixed, with some left disappointed. Has everything become pre-packaged as online content? Did you watch the solar eclipse this week? Europeans were treated to a rare, near-total block of the sun on Wednesday, as the most intense solar eclipse since 1999 swept over Europe and some parts of...
Why is Netflix paying for six hours of GTA 6 exclusivity?
Streaming giant Netflix has apparently paid an eye-watering amount to exclusively showcase GTA 6’s ‘extended look’ trailer for only six hours. Why has it coughed up so much cash for seemingly so little? Rockstar’s GTA 6 is the most anticipated video game of all time, with experts predicting it could make $3-5 billion USD in its first week alone. Despite immeasurable levels of hype, the marketing rollout has been minimal, at...
Cable moved from Dobby’s ‘grave’ to appease Harry Potter fans
A new multimillion-pound power cable between the UK and Ireland is to be relocated due to complaints from Harry Potter fans that it would damage Dobby’s ‘grave.’ Fancy some unhinged Harry Potter news? Of course you do! A new multimillion-pound power cable between the UK and Ireland has been relocated following complaints from Harry Potter fans who were concerned it would destroy Dobby’s ‘grave.’ Yes, the fictional Dobby, the house elf who...
