Omegle shuts down after 14 years over sexual abuse controversy
The once-hyped social site is shuttering after years of controversy. Its death is a sign of the times.Β Long before the advent of Instagram or TikTok, socialising online meant updating your Facebook status or booting up Omegle. Launched in 2009, the latter was unique in that it allowed users to engage...
Current in Social
UNESCO unveils action plan to regulate social media platforms
According to a new survey, more than 85 per cent of people are worried about the impact of online disinformation and 87 per cent believe it has already harmed their countryβs politics. On Monday, UNESCOβs Director-General Audrey Azoulay sounded the alarm on the intensification of disinformation and hate speech online,...
Is banning suicide forums an effective means of mental health support?
A recent BBC investigation puts pressure on UK authorities to shut down an online forum that freely discusses suicide. Is it the right call, or is it placing too much attention on a symptomatic cause rather than the root problem? TW: This article discusses mental health issues and suicide....
The Elon inspired decline of X reportedly continues
X, formerly known as Twitter, continues to slump in engagement under the management of Elon Musk. Is there a way to stem the continuous decline, or is the platform living on borrowed time? On reflection, surely L would have been a more appropriate title for Elon Muskβs Twitter rebrand. Since the...
Should violent criminals be allowed on social media?
The successful TikTok career of a US school shooter has raised questions around the accessibility of online spaces.Β Many people dream of going viral on social media. After all, it promises overnight fame and widespread influence. The growing capability of almost anyone to gain internet notoriety has increasingly aroused controversy. Whether...
Will X navigate a slew of trademark lawsuits?
An endless slew of infringement lawsuits have come Elon Muskβs way since the Twitter to X rebrand. Will the whole thing be short lived, or can the billionaire prevail? Elon Muskβs strange affinity with the letter X isnβt sufficient enough to negate existing licensing laws apparently. Who wouldβve thought? Back in...
This digital app makes banned books freely available to everyone
With bans on important literary genres on the rise across America, an app called The Banned Book Club is a digital library that makes banned books available for everyone, regardless of where they are located. Across America, libraries are being forced to pull highly acclaimed books from their shelves. State-wide bans on certain types of literature are being implemented by local governments at the request of organisations that believe children...
Tinder rolls out new βSELECTβ feature for $499 USD a month
The new premium tier will allow paying users to see the βmost sought after profilesβ, promises to boost their profile, and grants the ability to DM others even if they havenβt matched. Tinder is rolling out an exclusive and expensive new feature called βSELECTβ. Operating as an invite-only subscription model, SELECT will allow users to be part of a VIP premium tier for the cool price of $499 USD a...
Safer Plage app protects women from sexual harassment on the beach
A city in France has recently launched an app to protect women from sexual harassment at the beach. Nobody should be made to feel uncomfortable or unsafe, but unfortunately sexual harassment is a hugely prevalent problem, especially for women. According to a 2018 study conducted by IFOP (French Institute of Public Opinion), 81% of women have been sexually harassed in public places. In an attempt to fight this problem, Marseilles city council...
New study reveals the extent of teenage smartphone use
A recent report from Common Sense Media has found that, on average, half of 11 to 17-year-olds get at least 237 notifications a day, raising concerns that this is affecting the cognitive ability, attention span, and memory of their still-developing brains. Itβs no secret that young people are addicted to their phones. So much so, in fact, that Gen Z spends half its waking hours on screen time. Until now, however,...
