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Australia lagging in protecting teens from ‘dark rabbit holes’ on TikTok

Mental health experts are concerned about the rise in dangerous self-harming trends among adolescents, particularly on TikTok. They argue that social media algorithms promote harmful content, including self-harm and disordered eating, and that Australian authorities are not doing

What would the internet of people look like now?

The article reflects on the decay of Web 2.0, dominated by algorithms and corporate control, and advocates for a return to user-driven, decentralized online communities akin to Web 1.0. It encourages reclaiming the internet’s creative, human-centered spirit by

AI likely to spell end of traditional school classroom, leading expert says

AI advancements could transform education with personalized virtual tutors, offering global access and effectiveness comparable to one-to-one teaching. While this could reduce traditional teacher roles, social and ethical concerns persist. Risks include indoctrination, misuse by authoritarian regimes, and

How we can teach children so they survive AI – and cope with whatever comes next | George Monbiot

The article critiques the inadequacy of education systems in preparing individuals for rapid societal, technological, and environmental change. It advocates for interdisciplinary learning, metacognition, and meta-skills like resilience and creativity. Rigid curricula, excessive testing, and political influence stifle

Apocalypse not now? AI’s benefits may yet outweigh its very real dangers

A new Cambridge University institute will study AI's societal impact, balancing its risks—such as unemployment, disinformation, and bias—with its benefits, like advances in medicine and energy efficiency. Leaders stress interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing gender disparity in AI to

BookTok encourages reading as an aesthetic and no one is safe from its gaze

TikTok’s BookTok turns reading into a highly aestheticized activity where books function as identity markers. Algorithms sort users into archetypes like the "sad girl" or "dark academia" reader, emphasizing books’ appearances and associated lifestyles. This trend drives consumerism,

BookTok is Good, Actually: On the Undersung Joys of a Vast and Multifarious Platform

BookTok, a vibrant TikTok community for book enthusiasts, thrives as a dynamic space where readers explore diverse genres, engage with viral trends, and expand their literary horizons. While critics dismiss it as shallow, its impact on publishing, especially

The unstoppable rise of eSports

In the past decade, competitive gaming, or eSports, has evolved from small, grassroots competitions to global tournaments with staggering prize pools. Follow...

In the shallow world of BookTok, being ‘a reader’ is more important than actually reading

The TikTok books community is more about a lifestyle aesthetic than actual reading. As a former BookTuber, I can't help but feel partly responsible

How TikTok created a Gen Z reading revolution

TikTok’s BookTok has revolutionized reading habits, particularly among Gen Z, by providing personalized book recommendations and fostering a vibrant community of readers and authors. This platform has democratized the publishing industry, enabling authors like Stacey McEwan to achieve