social media

US to monitor immigrants' social media for antisemitism

The US government announced Wednesday it will start reviewing the social media activity of visa applicants and immigrants for antisemitic content, according to a recent report by Reuters. The announcement has been heavily criticised by certain civil liberties groups as an overreach that threatens free expression.

#Perspective / Memes: The unofficial voice of Bangladesh’s digital generation

What started as a niche form of entertainment, in recent years, has grown into a medium for storytelling, political satire, and everyday connection. Memes now serve as a mirror of society, and as Bangladesh continues to embrace digitalisation, they are now contributing to online conversations and sparking social change.

Online grooming and the fight to protect our children

Grooming of minors by paedophilic adults seems to be an overlooked yet pressing societal anomaly

Building a knowledge-based society

Do we question the information that floods our social media feeds or passively consume and share without critical evaluation?

Bangladesh’s digital transformation: How social media is shaping politics and society

Social media has become a crucial part of this transformation, influencing everything from politics to social movements.

EU strengthens hate speech rules on Facebook, YouTube, X

The European Union (EU) has updated its code of conduct on online hate speech, requiring social media platforms like Meta’s Facebook, Elon Musk’s X, and Google’s YouTube to step up efforts to tackle harmful content. The European Commission announced the changes on Monday, integrating the code into the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).

Bluesky tightens safety rules as user numbers ramp up

Bluesky, the decentralised social media platform, has seen a recent surge in new users and is taking steps to improve security and combat impersonation. With more people joining the platform, the company is introducing stricter measures to ensure accounts are authentic and trustworthy, as per an official post by the platform.

Australia backs down on social media misinformation fines

Australia has decided not to go ahead with a plan to fine social media companies for failing to stop the spread of false information. The proposed law would have allowed fines of up to 5% of a company’s yearly earnings but was dropped because it didn’t have enough support in the country's Senate.

Australia launches 'landmark' bill to ban social media for children under 16

Australia plans to trial an age-verification system that may include biometrics or government identification to enforce a social media age cut-off, some of the toughest controls imposed by any country to date.

October 28, 2024
October 28, 2024

We should rethink our approach to online political discussions

Political discussions today often devolve into verbal battlegrounds, where the goal seems less about understanding and more about winning. Social media, creating echo chambers and shrinking attention spans, amplifies this by rewarding outrage and oversimplification over nuance and depth.

October 5, 2024
October 5, 2024

Scrolling away your life? Maybe it's time to reclaim a little control

We are currently habituated to mindlessly scrolling on our phones without even realising that hours have passed since we picked up the device. The following pointers can help you take control of this harmful habit.

September 27, 2024
September 27, 2024

Our sense of right and wrong is eroding: Nusraat Faria

Bangladeshi film actress, singer, and model Nusraat Faria still finds herself in a difficult position — her name continues to be associated with a former prime minister across social media discussions, often with negative undertones.

September 15, 2024
September 15, 2024

Radio’s last stand: Can FM survive in a digital world?

Like many traditional media, FM radio has struggled to maintain its once-strong relevance in the face of rapid digitalisation, changing listener habits, and the rise of online streaming platforms.

September 12, 2024
September 12, 2024

A call to end the cycle of revenge politics

The tendency to humiliate and seek revenge through violence only deepens political distrust and perpetuates cycles of retribution with each change in the government.

September 10, 2024
September 10, 2024

Australia plans age limit to ban children from social media

The minimum age for children to log into sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok has not been decided but is expected to be between 14 and 16 years, Albanese said.

September 5, 2024
September 5, 2024

Nihari ramen – Another pineapple-on-pizza heresy?

Nihari ramen, a Pakistani-Japanese fusion, is trending on social media. Some argue it ruins cultural authenticity, while others love the spicy-salty blend. Is it a culinary crime or a must-try dish? What’s your take on this food fusion?

September 3, 2024
September 3, 2024

Empathy? What’s that? The free-for-all world of toxic social media comments

Ah, social media! Our modern theatre, where the netizens are armed with memes and hashtags. When commenting on Facebook or Instagram, seemingly normal individuals transform into keyboard warriors, ready to wage World War III over the correct usage of “your” vs “you’re.”

August 28, 2024
August 28, 2024

News got you down? Here’s how to stay informed without losing your sanity

The world has been in unrest for a minute and a half now. It is normal to stay up-to-date with the latest updates. However, we must also allow ourselves to take a step back when the news starts to feel overwhelming, and begins to take a toll on our mental health.

August 15, 2024
August 15, 2024

How social media mobilised netizens as vigilantes in a “lawless” country

August 5. The day the student-led mass protests did the unthinkable in toppling the previous regime, with the aspiration to build back the country from the ground up - one brick at a time.