Social Media & Society

Online Abuse

Musk’s plan to axe X’s block button is a real win for stalkers and abusers

— Elon Musk’s latest plan to axe the block button will endanger stalking and domestic abuse victims – and make online life harder for all women.

Health

Companies keep selling harmful products – but history shows consumers can win in the end

— Market-driven epidemics like social media, guns, and sugary foods cause significant public health issues. Historical efforts against cigarettes, sugar, and opioids demonstrate that persistent public health initiatives can successfully reduce harmful consumption patterns.

Far-Right Riots 2024

Riots in the UK: Online propagandists know how to work their audiences – this is what we are missing

— Far-right violence in English towns has highlighted the need to rethink our approach to combating online propaganda. Current strategies fail as hate-filled content thrives on social media. Instead of merely fact-checking, we should target the audiences and algorithms that amplify extremist views.

Social Media

Southport riots: Why social media’s role in unrest is overblown

— Riots erupted after three young girls were fatally stabbed in Southport, with far-right extremists clashing with police and targeting a mosque. Misinformation online fuelled tensions, but social media’s role in inciting violence is debated.

Misinformation

How misinformation exploded in Southport after the tragic stabbing

— The Southport riots, triggered by a tragic stabbing incident, have highlighted the dangers of misinformation. False rumours have fuelled public anger and violence, prompting calls for stricter media regulations and greater transparency.

X (Formerly Known As Twitter)

Twitter and Elon Musk: Why free speech absolutism threatens human rights

— Any moves by Elon Musk to remove content moderation on Twitter risk breaching corporate human rights obligations. Moderating content is a box that still needs to be ticked.