Society / Social Media

Social media were not for profit? Nick Dowson imagines a different world of online communities that puts our needs first.

We must be able to see the secret, algorithmic methods of Google, Facebook and other digital titans if we are to tackle disinformation and toxic polarization, says propaganda expert Peter Pomerantsev.

Palestinian activist Iyad el-Baghdadi, a leading intellectual of the Arab Spring, talks fighting disinformation with Jan-Peter Westad.

Facebook contravening its own hate-speech policies.

Should I delete my Facebook account? Ethical and political dilemmas abound these days. Seems like we’re all in need of a New Internationalist perspective. Enter stage: Agony Uncle.

Will shaming employers on social media finally bring justice for Lebanon’s domestic workers? Roshan De Stone and David Suber report from Beirut.

It’s the place where you can find everything – from an academic painstakingly listing forgotten medieval words, to the rambling stream-of-consciousness of the US president. But with research showing links between its use and depression and loneliness, is it time we gave up on social media altogether?

The Slovenian philosopher, sociologist and cultural critic speaks to Graeme Green about losing control, Twitter, Trump and a new approach.

The world now has child influencers.

Exploitation by tech firms is not inevitable, suggests Vanessa Baird.

India's government has asked WhatsApp to act urgently to halt the spread of "irresponsible and explosive messages" after a spate of deadly attacks. 

Dating apps are disrupting traditional customs in Nepal’s capital.

The backlash against social media titans is in full swing. But are moves to bring them to heel, including new privacy laws, appropriate? Mike Morel investigates.

Wars in cyberspace are wars on our minds. JJ Patrick on the murky underworld of big data, social media, espionage and the spread of chaos through disinformation.

We’re increasingly relying on social media companies to act like governments and censor dubious content. Jillian York on the failures of this approach – and how to fix it.

So many voices online. Surely that means more diversity and media democracy? Not really, explains Laura Basu.

Trump has a precursor – and maybe even a mentor – when it comes to waging war on media he does not like. Iris Gonzales reports from the Philippines.

There is no one magic remedy – but lots of strategies. Vanessa Baird writes.

Trust in tatters. Business model busted. And journalism under attack from all sides. So why does Vanessa Baird think that the news media has a bright future?

A story of cause and effect doesn't tell us everything about the relationship between social media use and mental health, argues Marcus Gilroy-Ware.