Holding social media companies to account for harmful content on their sites is legally difficult, due to two US laws that protects them from defamation penalties internationally.
What can and should be done in light of response to the Facebook Files? The issues are undoubtedly complex, but solutions need to centre on children’s rights and prioritize what young people need.
Is it possible to have a jury whose members are unbiased?
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A video of Ahmaud Arbery was widely seen and shared by the citizens who could be called on to judge the accused killers. The issue was recently argued before the Supreme Court.
How much of your life is archived on Facebook?
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Many people are feeling the urge to quit Facebook. It’s not hard to do, technically speaking. It’s a good idea, however, to pause first and look back on your digital memories.
Fears that TikTok is “serving up” drug content to impressionable users have prompted calls for all drug content to be censored on the platform. But that would remove useful health advice too.
On Weibo, a Twitter-like social media website in China, feminists created hashtags such as “#她能” (#SheCan), “#看见女性劳动者” (#SeeingWomenWorkers) with the aim of helping women feel empowered.
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Feminists across China came together on Weibo to fight back against under- and misrepresentation of them during the early days of COVID-19.
Physical activity, eating habits and emotional support from friends and family are stronger predictors of health than body mass index.
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Weight discrimination, like teasing, is common among youth and linked to eating disorders and depression. Youth’s health and well-being would be best supported by not focusing on their weight.
Social media can provide short descriptions of the issues that people are facing.
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As is the case in other conflict and war situations, it was difficult to collect public data. So we examined tweets to understand what topics were being discussed.
What if there were a social media blackout for teens during certain hours of the night?
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It’s tempting to think limits would cause teens to riot in the streets. But Facebook’s own research reveals that young people are well aware of social media’s downsides.
Whistleblower Frances Haugen called Facebook’s algorithm dangerous.
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You have evolved to tap into the wisdom of the crowds. But on social media, your cognitive biases can lead you astray, something organized disinformation campaigns count on.
Life online puts our children’s wellbeing and privacy at risk.
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Children are at the heart of the battle between usefulness and security. Can we trust Big Tech to find solutions to making computers, and life online, safer for them?
How do you feel about Facebook?
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Facebook users no longer see the site as a confidant. They’re struggling with how to deal with a messy codependence – and whether to just break up and move on with healthier friends.
Online debates over the environmental impact of eating meat are getting heated.
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The creation of social media accounts based on fictional models raises pointed questions about race, representation and commodification.
College basketball player Paige Bueckers, right, of the Connecticut Huskies, has over 900,000 followers on Instagram as of September 2021.
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Women college athletes face far more limited career prospects than men. The NCAA’s new endorsement rules may help level the playing field when it comes to making money from their athletic ability.
Social media can provide ways for LGBTQ youth to learn more about, and stay connected to, their identities.
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While online communities may not fully address the isolation LGBTQ youth face in-person, they can serve as an important source of social support and a springboard for civic engagement.
Freedom of speech is a human right. But it comes with limitations, such as using the right to incite violence. Conversations around these concepts are a part of democratic education.
Sufferers collected evidence of their persistent symptoms, and advocated for themselves and for further research. Even the term ‘long COVID’ stems from this activism.
Many women use closed Facebook groups as an outlet for their fears and frustrations and stresses with life during a pandemic. But running these groups takes a lot of work, and comes with legal risks.