Alone together

The internet was supposed to make communication easier, bring knowledge to all, and strengthen democracy and connection. Instead, it has empowered authoritarians while splintering democratic countries into ever smaller and angrier splinter groups.

Another shot of smartphone

What makes our smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches so irresistible? It’s not just the apps. Hardware features such as face recognition, awareness sensors, and touchscreens play on the senses, tap into our emotions, and develop affective dependence.

Climbing out of the rabbit hole

New research challenges the idea of a ‘vicious cycle’ between psychological distress and conspiracy beliefs.

In pod we trust

While we shouldn’t blindly trust or dismiss any online platform, whether it’s a social media feed or a podcast, we must think critically about all the information we encounter in an age of misinformation and mindless AI slop.

Saving local news from extinction

Local newspapers are following many bird, insect and animal species into extinction across Australia, and the remaining outlets will have to adapt to a more hostile environment to survive.

Why don’t we trust the media?

Trust in public institutions and the media is in decline around the world, not least in Australia’s neighbour New Zealand.

Like, comment and subscribe

The government will soon enforce a controversial policy to prevent children under 16 from accessing social media in Australia, but will it work?

Bots, buzzers and AI-driven campaigning

Social media has transformed political campaigning in Southeast Asia, enabling outreach while also unleashing disinformation, AI manipulation and bot-driven interference.

Why young people fall for nonsense

There’s no end of nonsense circulating on social media, youtube and the internet and a combination of factors mean that young people are more likely to believe in it.

Junk in, junk out

Public health experts are calling for the next Federal Government to take action to stop junk food ads targeting children, after new research showed that the issue is a concern for 85% of parents and caregivers.

The fake news arms race

A new model depicts how competition for attention leads news sources to publish misinformation. The findings portray a trend, or “arms race,” towards hyper-partisan fake news to increase audience engagement.

Bad news for young journalists

There seems to be more ‘news’ than ever, but shrinking budgets and job insecurity means there are fewer opportunities for young journalists, and that’s bad news, especially in regional Australia.