Social media

China Cracks Down On 'False Idols'

Beijing high schooler Chen Zhichu used to spend 30 minutes a day boosting actor Xiao Zhan online as one of a legion of superfans, before the practice fell afoul of the government for promoting "unhealthy values".State regulations last month banned "irrational star-chasing" – online celebrity rankings, fundraising and other tools used by China's fandoms to get their idols trending on social media – in the latest of a series of crackdowns across Chinese society.&nbs

2 October 2021
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Why Are COVID Vaccines Dividing Us?

We live in a world where everyone has an opinion, which can be instantly shared with millions of people across the world via social media. This can be a good thing when getting factual information out: We have seen how important it is to share personal stories from those living in areas of conflict so people can have an insider’s view of what it is like on the ground. Most recently, this has shone an important light on the plight of women in Afghanistan.

23 September 2021
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Myanmar Shutdown Marks Grim Year For Web Freedom

Internet users in a record number of countries have faced arrest and physical attacks for their posts over the past year, a report said on Tuesday, painting a grim picture of digital freedoms in 2021.The annual "Freedom on the Net" report said internet shutdowns in Myanmar and Belarus had proved particular low points as online rights declined globally for the 11th year in a row.Compiled by United States (US) think-tank Freedom House, the survey gives countries a score out of 100 for

21 September 2021
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Social Media Giants Grapple With Taliban Dilemma

The last time the Taliban were in power, social networks were a thing of the future -- but this time around, the militants' takeover of Afghanistan poses tricky questions for the likes of Facebook and Twitter.As their arrival in Kabul sparked worldwide panic, Taliban officials took to Twitter to project a message of calm beyond Afghanistan's borders.Claims that the Taliban forces young girls to marry fighters are "poisonous propaganda", the group's international media

20 August 2021
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How Anti-Vaxxers Live In A COVID World

During the pandemic, an international movement opposed to COVID-19 vaccines and restrictions has grown on social media, often muddled with conspiracy theories and dangerous falsehoods. Now some committed activists are pursuing a new direction - organising online dating, house shares and possibly even blood banks just for the unvaccinated."I mean, I'm not at that stage yet.

13 August 2021
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Facebook Should Ban More World Leaders

I’ve been a professional free-expression advocate for more than a decade. That is why I support the Facebook Oversight Board’s recent decision to uphold former President Donald Trump’s suspension from the platform and Facebook’s new protocol whereby public figures may be banned for up to two years during times of civil unrest.

28 July 2021
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Overcoming The Infodemic In ASEAN

Spreading at least as quickly as the COVID-19 virus, an ‘infodemic’ has infected large swaths of media and information exchange across ASEAN. Massive amounts of information, including rumours, misinformation and disinformation have reached millions of people who are hoping to understand how to stay safe until the pandemic has been controlled.

10 March 2021
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Cambodia Sets Up China-Style Internet Firewall

Cambodia's government moved to exert near-total control over the country's online life Wednesday, setting up a national internet gateway which activists say will stifle freedom of expression and block content via a China-style firewall.Cambodia has seen a rapid increase in internet use in recent years, and Premier Hun Sen's government - which dissolved the main opposition party in 2017 - has intensified a crackdown on online dissent.A government spokesman dismissed concerns ove

18 February 2021
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Sex Work, OnlyFans And Sugar Dating In A Pandemic

Every industry across the world has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic – some even more so than others. Those in the e-commerce and technology sectors have probably seen their businesses booming in recent months, while those in tourism and hospitality have probably seen thousands of colleagues being laid off.In the sex industry, workers have also expressed difficulties in getting clients as coronavirus restrictions are imposed in many nations.

17 February 2021
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Myanmar's Cyber Crackdown Explained

Since a military coup earlier this month, Myanmar has endured internet blackouts and blocks on some social media sites, while a draft cybersecurity bill has been floated.These lightning-quick moves by the new junta have tech experts, rights groups and citizens worried that internet-hungry Myanmar will soon be as cut off as during the previous military regime.What Has Happened Since The Coup?The military has so far ordered five temporary internet shutdowns, starting on 1 February - the day of

17 February 2021
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Social Media And Mental Health

Social media usage is one of the most popular online activities. Like millions of people around the world, the first thing I do when I wake up is to scroll on Twitter. That’s how I get my news, information and celebrities’ “teas”. For some, it’s perhaps some other social network such as Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook.

14 January 2021
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