From M&S to Duolingo: banter between brands on social media gets people buying – but there’s a catch: The owl that came back from the dead. daily_creativity/Shutterstock The line between entertainment and advertising is increasingly blurred thanks to social media. People no longer just consume content, they experience it – laughing, sharing and commenting. And …
Apple Cider Vinegar: how social media gave rise to fraudulent wellness influencers like Belle Gibson: This article contains spoilers for Apple Cider Vinegar. The new Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar tells the story of wellness influencer Belle Gibson, who built a loyal following on social media by documenting her cancer journey online. But in 2015, …
Decentralised social media offers an alternative to big tech platforms like X and Meta. How does it work? Podcast: Koshiro K/Shutterstock When Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022, many users looked for alternatives, fuelling a wave of online migration from the social media platform. Musk says he’s using Twitter, now named X, to champion free …
Social media rewires young minds – here’s how: Deliris/Shutterstock That satisfying feeling after doomscrolling through endless TikTok videos or impulsively shopping online mimics the relief of scratching an itch. This is dopamine at work — a brain chemical (neurotransmitter) responsible for feelings of reward and accomplishment. Whether indulging in viral videos or engaging in new …
Social media ‘soft girls’ depend on men for money – but Sweden once used state ‘influencers’ to urge women to get jobs: stokkete/Shutterstock The idea of becoming a “soft girl” – a woman who embrace values that are seen as soft, such as beauty and family life, at the expense of a career – is …
Coughing won’t save you if you’re having a heart attack, despite what people claim on social media: P.Kasipat/Shutterstock A recent trend on social media has revived a curious technique from the late 1970s called cough CPR. A post claims that this method can help people, if they are alone, to survive a heart attack by …
World Update: will Trump’s hurricane disinformation counter Harris’s media blitz?: The next phase of the US election campaign is coming right at us and it’s even nastier than the last. As hurricanes Milton and Helene rolled in to Florida and North Carolina and at least four other states, bringing tornadoes, storm surges, and miles of …
Michael Gove, Spectator editor: an expert explains the long relationship between Westminster and the media: Michael Gove has a new job. The former Conservative MP and senior government minister will take over as editor of The Spectator this month, assuming the UK’s advisory committee on business appointments raises no objections. The Spectator, a political weekly, …
Women’s sport and social media: the arguments over shared or separate accounts: Women’s sport has long battled for equal visibility in the media spotlight. But social media has become a powerful tool for sportswomen and women’s sport to control their narratives and connect directly with fans. This has sparked debate among communication experts about whether …
South Africa’s media have done good work with 30 years of freedom but need more diversity: In 1992, two years before the end of apartheid, Nelson Mandela bemoaned the state of South Africa’s print media. He said the media’s domination by middle class males from the minority white population posed the biggest threat to freedom …
Social media continues to censor women’s health posts as pornography – and it may cause serious harm: Social media users aren't used to seeing this — men's nipples and even pubic hair aren't censored but posts about women's bodies are assumed to be pornographic Sergiy Nigeruk/Shutterstock What’s the difference between men’s nipples and women’s? How …
Fintech is sold as the answer to Africa’s problems, but digital money services have downsides which media often overlook: The research assessed newspaper coverage of fintech in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa. Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images The online financial products and services known as “fintech” have become deeply embedded in the economic and social …
The Future of Social Media Marketing: Introduction In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, social media stands out as a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape. Today, it’s not just about connecting with friends and family; social media has morphed into a vital channel for businesses to engage with their target audience, build brand awareness, and drive …
Four tips for a healthy news diet in 2024, from an expert in media psychology: DimaBerlin/Shutterstock The start of the new year brings inevitable pressure to start fresh, with new hobbies, exercise regimes and healthy diets. But there is one diet you may not have thought of improving this year: your media and news consumption. …
Selfies and social media: how tourists indulge their influencer fantasies: A town in the US state of Vermont closed its roads to tourists in September 2023 after a social media tag sparked a swarm of visitors that overwhelmed the rural destination. Videos on TikTok were seen by thousands and the hashtag #sleepyhollowfarm went viral, prompting …
Ghana’s media treats terrorism as a threat from outside – it overlooks violence at home: In 2022, 43% of all global terrorism deaths occurred in the Sahel – the region south of the Sahara Desert and stretching east-west across the African continent. West Africa had recorded 1,800 terrorism attacks as of June 2023, resulting in …
Gaza war: Israeli government has Haaretz newspaper in its sights as it tightens screws on media freedom: The Israeli government is putting pressure on the left-leaning newspaper Haaretz to line up in support of the government in its conduct of the war in Gaza. The communications minister, Shlomo Karhi, has suggested financial penalties be applied …
Why a social media detox may not be as good for you as you think – new research: DimaBerlin/Shutterstock Whether you’re an influencer, an occasional poster, or just a lurker, you likely spend more time than you’d like on social media. Globally, working-age people with internet access now spend more than 2.5 hours per day …