Latest Stories from Jessica
Instagram launches βhide likesβ feature
The option for users to hide the number of 'likes' on their posts and timeline is now live on Instagram. The companyβs CEO calls it an effort to make the platform a βsafer place on the internet.β After months of randomised user-testing on the βno-likesβ feature, anyone with an Instagram account can now hide the number of likes on their posts (as well as others on the timeline) by turning...
Opinion – why sex ed serves as an avenue for social change
Governments and schools now consider sex-ed lessons to be a vital opportunity for furthering greater inclusivity and increasing self-confidence in younger generations. When breaking down sexual education to some of its basic elements: establishing consent, respecting differences, setting boundaries, and regularly checking in with your personal health, itβs clear that these are useful skills in all areas of adult life, not just physical intimacy. It wasnβt until the end of 2020,...
Indigenous communities on the front line in climate change fight
Climate change is affecting all of us whether we feel it in our day-to-day or not. However, Indigenous peoples who depend on local ecosystems are speaking out more than ever. Indigenous people known as Aboriginals - or First Nations in Australia - are people who have lived in harmony with their surrounding natural environments for thousands of years. Despite these groups making up just 5% of global populations, they manage...
Why does isolated conflict lead to a rise in global hate crimes? Israel-Palestine explored
Leaders around the world have expressed their concern about a rise in xenophobia and racism after the recent resurgence of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. The eleven-day battle between Israeli and Palestinian armies has come to a close, with both sides declaring ceasefire from the 21st of May. At least 230 Palestinians and 12 Israelis were killed in the attacks, making this period the deadliest resurgence of the conflict in recent years. Though the...
Is bio-engineered fashion a future solution for ocean microplastics?
Scientists and fashion designers are working together to create clothing using food and drink, meaning plant-based alternatives to environmentally damaging fabrics could be coming very soon. Clothing made from synthetic materials currently dominate the fashion consumer market, with over 60% of clothing produced being made from plastics rather than organic materials like cotton and wool. Youβre probably familiar with the textiles polyester, nylon, acrylic, and polyamide - which are...
Glossier renews Black-owned business grant program for second year
There is no shortage of Black owned brands within the beauty industry. However, funding for these businesses is severely lacking. Glossier is supporting Black entrepreneurs at the pre-launch, start-up, and growth stages of their beauty business venture. Last summer, the rapid resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement prompted companies to re-assess the value system and level of racial diversity within their practices. Most of us watched from our Instagram timelines...
Post-lockdown cosmetic procedures are on the rise
As lockdown lifts, cosmetic doctors are seeing a rise in demand for face-based treatments. With more time to look at ourselves in mirrors and computer screens, is this a trend thatβs here to stay?Β Β Over the last year of lockdowns weβve spent a large portion of our time indoors, being forced to stare at reflections of ourselves on Zoom calls or FaceTime. At the same time weβve also been isolated...
