Fight for control threatens to destabilize and fragment the internet

The US is wrestling with the rest of the world for control of the internet. The ‘net as we know it could be a victim of the struggle.

Nick Merrill, Research Fellow, University of California, Berkeley • conversation
July 26, 2021 ~8 min

It's not just bad behavior – why social media design makes it hard to have constructive disagreements online

How social media services work – the nuts and bolts of interacting with others online – has the power to shape and improve online arguments. Here's how.

Amanda Baughan, PhD Student in Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington • conversation
July 7, 2021 ~8 min


WhatsApp's controversial privacy update may be banned in the EU – but the app's sights are fixed on India

Accessing India's digital consumers is seen as the key to future growth for big tech companies like Facebook.

Lipika Kamra, Associate Professor in Politics and Anthropology, O.P. Jindal Global University • conversation
May 13, 2021 ~9 min

Here’s how much your personal information is worth to cybercriminals – and what they do with it

A thriving black market for stolen personal data makes millions of people vulnerable to spies, spammers, scammers and hackers.

Ravi Sen, Associate Professor of Information and Operations Management, Texas A&M University • conversation
May 13, 2021 ~7 min

Trump's Facebook ban upheld – but the future of the oversight board is in doubt

Trump will not be returning to Facebook or Instagram before November 2021.

Elaine Fahey, Professor of Law and Jean Monnet Chair of Law & Transatlantic Relations, City Law School, City, University of London • conversation
May 6, 2021 ~6 min

Yes, online communities pose risks for young people, but they are also important sources of support

A significant portion of teenagers' social development happens online. The risks are well known, but the benefits of peer support are often overlooked.

Benjamin Kaveladze, Graduate Student Researcher, University of California, Irvine • conversation
April 21, 2021 ~8 min

Trump is building a social media platform – but keeping it online will be a challenge

If it hosts the same violent rhetoric that saw Parler forced offline, Trump's platform may be a short-lived adventure.

Simon Thorne, Senior Lecturer in Computing and ​Information Systems, Cardiff Metropolitan University • conversation
March 24, 2021 ~6 min

Why is celebrity abuse on Twitter so bad? It might be a problem with our empathy

People appear to victim-blame celebrities for the abuse they suffer on Twitter.

Christopher Hand, Lecturer, Psychology, Glasgow Caledonian University • conversation
March 4, 2021 ~6 min


Audio chatrooms like Clubhouse have become the hot new media by tapping into the age-old appeal of the human voice

Social media platform Clubhouse is a buzzy Silicon Valley darling, but its core attribute – audio chat – is unlikely to be a flash in the pan.

Damian Radcliffe, Carolyn S. Chambers Professor in Journalism, University of Oregon • conversation
Feb. 25, 2021 ~9 min

Facebook’s free speech myth is dead – and regulators should take notice

Facebook's choice of profits over the people is difficult to reconcile with its commitment to free speech.

Carolina Are, Researcher and visiting lecturer, City, University of London • conversation
Feb. 22, 2021 ~8 min

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