Is virality ruining everything?
As more of us turn to social media for recommendations, is the joy of a hidden gem at risk of extinction? I used to have a thing for secrecy, at least when it came to food. I revelled in the smug satisfaction of knowing about a low-lit bar that only...
Current in Social
WhatsApp introduces ads into its feed for the first time
After teasing possible advertisement placements for several years, Meta has finally launched an update on WhatsApp that will roll the feature out publicly. Businesses will be able to display ads in the ‘updates’ tab. The popular text-based messaging platform WhatsApp now features business advertisements for the first time. As part of...
TikTok blocks ‘skinnytok’ hashtag to curb harmful content
Popular short-form video platform TikTok has blocked searches for ‘skinnytok’ in an effort to reduce the popularity of potentially harmful content. The social media app is notorious for cultivating niche communities based on negative subject matter. TikTok has blocked users from searching for ‘skinnytok,’ a trending term that directs...
What’s the meaning behind TikTok’s ‘anti-propaganda’ trend?
From whole (or plant based) milk to conservativism and Gracie Abrams, young people are taking to social media to list off things they see as ‘propaganda’ they refuse to fall for. What does it all mean? You’d be forgiven for not fully understanding half the lingo you see online...
TikTok found to be breaching EU advertising rules
The short-form video platform TikTok has been cautioned over its EU digital ads by the European Commission, after failing to provide sufficient details on their content. TikTok has breached EU rules by not disclosing enough information about its advertising, the European Commission (EC) has said. According to a statement,...
Meta to bar teenagers from livestreaming on Instagram
Those under sixteen will not be able to use Instagram’s Live feature unless they acquire parental permission. New restrictions are being introduced on Instagram for users under the age of 16. As part of Meta’s expansion of current safety measures, younger teenagers will be barred from using the platform’s ‘Live’ feature...
Opinion – emojis are missing the trick with hair inclusivity
Since when did representation stop at skin tone? In the distant land of pre-2015 texting, all emojis were jaundiced little blobs. That was until the great Skin Tone Update, which allowed users to transform their emojis into a spectrum of humanity – sort of. Despite these ostensibly diverse offerings, one very obvious detail has remained overlooked in the world of digital mini people: hair. Fast forward to 2025, and despite boasting a library...
Is Tumblr making a comeback with Gen Zers?
Data suggests that Gen Z are finding solace in Tumblr, the creative social media platform that was popular fifteen years ago with younger Millennials. Why are young people flocking to a long-forgotten site? It looks like Tumblr is back in a big way with young social media users, at least according to the latest data. Bought by Yahoo in 2013 for $1.1 billion USD, the platform encourages people to upload and...
Are women safe online in 2025?
The 2000s was not the only period when the dot-com bubble burst in the market; it was also the beginning of a new type of cost - the safety of many, particularly women and girls worldwide. Although an online presence can create a haven for equal access to information and a platform for freedom of expression, its potential for the better has been manipulated for something darker. Recent policy changes by META to...
Can social media ever tackle it’s body shaming issue?
Backlash against TikTok’s new ‘chubby filter’ suggests so – but is it enough? TikTok’s algorithm may feel chaotic and unpredictable. One minute you’re scrolling past a hotel recommendation, the next a meme about your overbearing boss, then a tour of the M&S aisle. But apps like these have built dedicated algorithms that feed us content they think we want to see. Everything we share, like, and linger on feeds this system information...