YouTube reports Gen Z want curated content over viral videos
It seems the days of dancing foxes, Gangnam Style, and other viral content are over. New studies suggest that Gen Z prefer to see specific, tailored content for them, rather than popular videos intended for all audiences. If you’re an older Gen Zer like myself, you may remember a...
Current in Social
New TikTok feature allows users to set screen time reminders
Self-regulating our social media consumption has proved to be difficult. Now, app designers are incorporating time-sensitive features to prevent us from getting lost in endless scrolling loops. Tapping into social media has become as ingrained into our daily habits as checking text messages, e-mails, and news notifications. But unlike apps used...
Apple faces £768m lawsuit for allegedly ‘throttling’ older iPhones
Up to 25 million Britons who owned an older iPhone model in 2017 may be able to claim damages from Apple. A consumer champion claims the tech giant deliberately ruined phone performances to push buyers towards new devices. When it comes to our phone devices, somewhat ironically, we’re the ones...
Tinder is working towards ending the US’ LGBTQIA+ blood ban
Tinder has partnered with Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to do away with America’s archaic and discriminatory policy which prohibits blood donations from gay and bisexual men. Every year, Pride organisations join forces to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and shine a light on the challenges its members face on a daily...
Exclusive – IRL is putting the ‘social’ back in social media
Quickly becoming the fastest way to build communities both online and offline, the pioneering platform is front and centre in the push for a more intimate internet. In the digital age we’ve the world at our fingertips. With a simple touch we can access anything we desire at any given...
This browser extension counters climate anxiety and doom scrolling
If you download this irreverent browser extension, whenever you read a doom and gloom climate story, you’ll receive a small call to action accompanied by an amusing snarky comment. Finally, pop-ups we can get onboard with. As someone whose job it is to follow every minute detail of the existential...
EU ruling aims to stop market domination from Big Tech giants
A new EU law dubbed the Digital Markets Act will aim to stem the relentless market domination of Big Tech’s giants. This will, in theory, provide smaller online businesses with a chance to grow. As much as we’d love it to be, the world just isn’t an equal opportunity place, is it? Ah well, at least our phones are always there to provide a bit of escapism, complete with all...
EU commission warns Musk won’t have free rein of Twitter
The Tesla chief has acquired Twitter for $46bn and plans to re-evaluate the platform’s stance on free speech and cancel culture. The EU commission now warns that any plans to loosen moderation policies must be handled carefully and that Musk won’t be given free rein. The drawn out Twitter saga has finally reached its end. Sort of. Serial entrepreneur Elon Musk has officially secured ownership of the platform, fronting $21bn...
Scammers are using GoFundMe to pocket donations worth thousands
The crowdfunding site GoFundMe is being used to scam people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. What is the platform doing about it? Despite the internet being a weird and wonderful place, many people are well-aware that what we see online is not always genuine. Unfortunately, deceptive practices aren’t just limited to deepfakes or photoshopped pictures – they also take place on platforms designed to aid with fundraising projects. The website...
BeReal is encouraging us to stop curating ourselves online
In the age of social media fatigue, the app is a refreshingly unglamorous antidote to the relentless pursuit of perfection we can’t seem to escape on our heavily filtered Instagram feeds. When Instagram initially burst onto the scene over a decade ago, the happy-snappers among us were enticed by the promise it showed. In its earliest days, it was a safe space for sharing candid moments with friends, free from the...