What the experts say on…social media restrictions

The Australian government has committed itself to imposing an age limit on social media before the next election, but is this a desirable or workable solution?

Talkin’ bout my generation

Social media is negatively impacting the life satisfaction of Australian high school students, according to the latest findings from Australia’s largest survey of young people.

Saving kids from social media?

In response to growing public concern about the social affects of social media, the Albanese government will introduce legislation to enforce a minimum age for children to access major social platforms.

The downside of doomscrolling

In a world first study on the impact of doomscrolling from an existential perspective, Flinders University researchers warn that habitual checking of disturbing stories on social media is linked with changes to how we view humankind and the meaning of life.

Might social media be good for you?

Social media gets a bad rap these days, but it’s worth considering the ‘why’ and the ‘how’ we use social media when we’re thinking about whether it’s good for our mental health

What the experts say…on social media bans for young people

Opposition leader Peter Dutton announced that he would like to implement a social media ban for children, and the Prime Minister followed suit by noting that technology restricting children’s social media access is still being developed but a ban would be a ‘good way to go’. What do Australia’s experts say on the situation?

Fear and loathing in Australia

As we muddle through the complexities of the 21st century, progress appears to be stifled by a media keen on angering its audience, rather than informing them.

Don’t follow the leader

Social systems in which influence is focused around one person or a small number of individuals may create environments where new ideas are ignored, and innovation is hindered.

Planet selfie

After the COVID interregnum, more people are traveling to more exotic holiday destinations than ever, but the rise of social media means that many of them seem to be doing it to be seen there, rather than see the places they are going.

The science of X

As the world faces existential problems such as pandemics and climate change, Australian scientists are facing a dilemma about the best way to connect with the wider public.

Singing the party’s song

Vetted and approved social media influencers flourish under the Chinese Communist Party’s tightly regulated social media ecosystem as the party uses their popularity to bolster its dubious legitimacy both domestically and abroad.

People are the answer to the people problem

As social media platforms continue to shape public discourse, addressing the challenges posed by harmful content is crucial and new research on the effectiveness of moderating harmful online content offers valuable insights for policymakers.