How ‘algospeak’ aids sensitive social media discussion
With life online increasingly controlled by overzealous censorship policies, users have begun inventing code words to dodge strict moderations on platforms like TikTok. Though you may not be familiar with the phrase ‘algospeak,’ what you’re likely to have come across is the slew of code words Internet users have...
Current in Social
Opinion – Has the Threads hype died already?
The arrival of Zuckerberg’s text-based social media platform Threads brought a sudden and fleeting moment of excitement to the digital sphere. Now, over half of the 100 million users who signed up have already stopped checking in. It hasn’t even been a month since the social media app Threads...
Ethiopia restores social media after 5 months of shutdown
Ethiopia has taken a momentous stride towards reinstating communication freedom and reconnecting its citizens with the digital realm by lifting its social media ban after a prolonged five-month shutdown. The restoration of access to popular platforms like Facebook, TikTok, Telegram, and YouTube comes as a welcome relief for millions of...
Why Elon Musk is rebranding Twitter as ‘X’
Having changed Twitter Inc to X Corp back in April, the inevitable rebrand of the social network as ‘X’ is now underway – but why? The bluebird is confirmed dead, and Elon Musk is holding the rifle. As you’ve no doubt seen already, the billionaire has been constantly touting ‘X’ on...
What is ‘phubbing’ and why is it damaging to relationships?
New research has uncovered that the phenomenon – whereby couples ignore each other in favour of their digital devices – is leading to increased conflict and reduced intimacy. While this may seem obvious, it’s taken a pair of psychologists to make us notice. In this day and age, we’re...
Should Apple be taking on mental health?
Apple’s latest iOS update will allow iPhones and to track our mental health. The news is raising questions about the rise (and ethics) of digital health. In an era marked by unprecedented technological advancements, our relationship with digital devices has become deeply intertwined with our daily lives. Besides dominating the tech...
Instagram officially launches Twitter competitor Threads
With Elon Musk’s ownership of Twitter causing mounting problems, Instagram has swooped in with its own competitor, Threads. The app has officially launched. Zuckerberg has officially launched his direct Twitter competitor Threads. Largely based on a similar, endless feed of statuses, Threads directly moves over your Instagram profile and provides users with a parallel experience without the baggage of Elon Musk. There is no limit to how many statuses you...
Will Elon’s latest restrictive rules mark the end of Twitter?
In attempts to ‘address extreme levels of data scraping & system manipulation,’ Twitter boss Elon Musk has placed new limits on the number of tweets users can view in a single day. Outrage has ensued and #TwitterIsDead is trending globally. From the moment Elon Musk took over Twitter, its users have consistently wondered when the end of the platform would finally arrive. Paid subscriptions for Twitter Blue, random interface changes, and...
UAE allegedly uses fake accounts to defend its hosting of COP28
Across Twitter and Medium, at least 100 fake accounts are posting positive sentiments about the United Arab Emirates and its controversial position as host nation of COP28. Experts claim its part of a shoddily executed popularity drive from within. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of state oil giant ADNOC, is an ‘ally the climate movement needs,’ according to a bunch of climate-activist accounts popping up across Twitter and Medium. This is a...
How is Facebook hoping to bring back alienated Gen Zers?
Facebook has fallen out of favour with young consumers. Once seen as the defining social media platform, it is now associated with misinformation, privacy breaches, and older people. Is there any way back? If you’re an older Gen Zers or younger Millennial, you may remember a time when Facebook was the place to be. In the late noughties and early tens, Zuckerberg’s social media unicorn was the spearhead for a cultural...
