941 tacks
Social media bans go global: big tech faces a reckoning after Australia’s crackdown
As a host of countries move to rein in social media use by children, could this be technology’s big tobacco moment?
Screen time can damage under-twos’ development, landmark study suggests
Exclusive: Researchers call for urgent investigation of risks to babies of tablets, smartphones and other digital devices Screen time for babies and toddlers under the age of two has been linked with long-term negative effects on health and quality of life and should be avoided, according to a landmark study. It warns that using screens during that period may lead to wide-ranging developmental concerns and calls for further urgent investigation of the risks smartphones, tablets and other digital devices pose to infants. Continue reading...
Labor unveils new powers to strengthen social media ban
The government plans to double the maximum penalties for tech companies that fail to comply with the laws and strengthen the eSafety Commissioner's powers to ensure compliance. The article also mentions that a recent study found limited early impact of the social media age restrictions
Over-reliance on chatbots can diminish critical-thinking skills, study finds
Depending on AI can also potentially decrease the ability to discern misinformation. Research says a new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the latest research to find that relying too much on chatbots can diminish critical-thinking skills, and potentially decrease our ability to discern misinformation for ourselves. As AI tools are becoming more sophisticated and accessible, manipulated images and misleading headlines are becoming more common. AI can be part of the solution, and has proved useful in helping users identify fake content – but there’s a cost to using it this...
Brands using AI-generated influencers to promote products on social media
Brands are increasingly using AI-generated influencers on social media to promote products, often without disclosing this to consumers. This practice raises concerns about transparency and consumer trust, as many people struggle to distinguish between real and AI-generated content. While there are no specific rules requiring disclosure in the UK, the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act will mandate labelling of AI-generated content starting in August.
‘Have I been influenced, or is this actually me?’ How personal taste fell out of fashion
The rise of streaming and social media platforms has significantly impacted personal taste, leading to a homogenisation of preferences. Algorithms, designed to maximise engagement, often present users with content similar to their past choices, limiting exposure to diverse ideas and styles. This has resulted in a growing sense of disconnection from individual tastes and a reliance on external influences, raising concerns about the erosion of personal authenticity.
Study reveals complex links between social media use and teen wellbeing
A study found young people who spend at least two hours a day on social media are more likely to experience depressive symptoms and poorer wellbeing. The study also found that the effects of social media on mental health vary depending on the age of the user.
Kids on social media more than two hours a day at higher risk of mental illness
A new study published in the Medical Journal of Australia found that adolescents who spend more than two hours per day on social media are at a higher risk of developing mental health problems, particularly those aged 12 to 13. The study suggests that younger adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the potential harms of social media, highlighting the need for continued support for older adolescents and holding social media platforms accountable. The study also found that the new law restricting access to social media for under 16s in Australia has influenced parents’ views and practices around their children’s social media use.
Tech companies invoke possibility of Trump’s wrath in fight against Labor’s media laws
Tech companies, including Meta, are opposing Australia’s proposed news media bargaining incentive, claiming it violates the US-Australia free trade agreement and could lead to retaliation from the Trump administration. They argue the incentive is a discriminatory tax that unfairly targets foreign companies and could hinder digital platform growth. However, Australian media companies and the government defend the proposal, emphasising the need for tech companies to pay for the news content they profit from.
AI ‘art’ is boring, soulless theft – and when I see it as an artist I see red | Jess Harwood
Artist Jess Harwood argues that generative AI cannot create meaningful art because it lacks human experience, intention and struggle. Inspired by a Split Enz concert, she contrasts the emotional power of human-made music with AI-generated images, writing and songs, which she views as derivative and environmentally damaging. For Harwood, art is inseparable from the artist’s process and humanity’s need to express lived experience: evidence that we existed, felt deeply and made meaning.
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