How businesses can head off social media storms

An analysis of almost half a million online complaints suggests businesses need to respond fast with empathy and explanations to minimise the damage, but few firms understand the need for transparency.

How tech giants swallowed the web

When Facebook disabled Australians’ access to news articles on its platform, and blocked sharing of articles from Australian news organizations, the company moved a step closer to killing the World Wide Web.

Facebook could face serious consequences over news ban

Facebook’s botched takedown of content publishers yesterday will likely have serious reputational and commercial consequences for the social media platform, says UNSW Business School’s Rob Nicholls.

Shutting the stable doors of social media

The past few years have presented high stakes . Yet there have been plenty of opportunities to stop the situation snowballing to where it is now.

Recruiters shouldn’t bother stalking applicants’ social media profiles

UNSW Business School research has found there is little to no correlation for recruiters between a job candidate’s social media profile and potential on-the-job performance or retention levels.

Will Facebook pull news from its Australian site?

Facebook has announced it will ban publishers and people in Australia from sharing local and international news on Facebook and Instagram if a proposal to force tech giants to pay for news becomes law.

Sharing to social media: Sensationalism or social good?

People should consider the implications of posting images and footage of tragic events online, says UNSW’s Alyce McGovern. 

COVID-19 denial is spreading on social media

Governments and health authorities should take steps to tackle the growing pockets of coronavirus denialism within their communities, as a war against this invisible enemy cannot be won if people don’t believe it exists.

Is social media addictive?

Is social media addictive? Really, truly addictive? Is it so compelling and rewarding for some excessive users that it affects behaviour and choices in “real” life, like substance abuse and gambling?

The Digital Platforms Inquiry gets a lukewarm government response

The ACCC’s inquiry was launched to address concerns about the market power of major digital platforms, such as Google and Facebook, and their impact on Australia’s businesses and media.

Teens should ‘get smart’ about social media

New research indicates that social media is leading young adolescent girls and boys down a worrying path towards developing body image issues and eating disorder behaviours – even though they are smartphone savvy.

The global disinformation order

We once hoped that social media would help bring down dictatorships, but the use of social media by authoritarian countries to spread their propaganda around the world is actually undermining democratic nations.