The insights and idiocy of social media research

The methods used to generate evidence for seemingly significant scientific findings regarding social media can also seem to support nonsensical claims.

Why TikTok isn’t really a social media app

There’s one thing we’re all getting wrong about TikTok: it’s not really a social media app.

Social media detox

Short-lived as it was, Facebook’s removal of Australian news raised interesting questions about our dependence on social media and whether we can do without it.

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?