Category: Social Media
How can social media users deal with online trolls?
Social media users are being encouraged to ignore and report abusive messages they receive from online trolls as part of a new campaign to stop the spread of hateful content. A new charity – the Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) – has published advice on how to best to deal with abuse that has…
Rachel Riley in social media pledge to silence trolls
High profile celebrities – including ex-England striker Gary Lineker and Countdown presenter Rachel Riley – have pledged not to publicise the social media abuse they receive from vile online trolls. Instead, the group of television stars, politicians and campaigners will be muting, blocking and reporting “abhorrent” and derogatory comments – with the worst handed to…
Social media linked to poorer mental health among teenagers – study
Teenagers who spend more than three hours a day on social media may be at higher risk of mental health problems, a large study has found. Data from 6,595 youngsters aged 12 to 15 in the US found those who used social media more heavily were more likely to report issues such as depression, anxiety…
Parents compete with gadgets for children’s attention
More than a third of parents have admitted they are competing against gadgets when it comes to getting their children’s attention, according to a survey. Almost four in 10 of mothers and fathers (37%) said they have to “fight for their attention” against excessive screen time, as they struggle to detach children from watching videos…
Like button, push notifications ‘most toxic elements of social media’
The like button and push notifications are considered some of the most toxic elements of social media, according to a new poll. More than 2,000 people ranked triggering content – the kind of posts that remind users of a negative experience – as the number one troubling feature on social networking sites. The findings come…
Snapchat unveils Spectacles 3 for capturing ‘3D images’
Snapchat has unveiled the third generation of its camera-enabled Spectacles, which allow users to capture images and video to post to the social media site. Introducing Spectacles 3. A new way to capture your world in 3D. #SnapchatSpectacles. https://t.co/k21x6aacZs pic.twitter.com/mQVT6mVNqX — Spectacles (@Spectacles) August 13, 2019 The new Spectacles 3, costing £330, will go on…
Tech firms could be fined by Ofcom over harmful videos
The Government is considering giving new powers to Ofcom that would allow the media regulator to fine technology companies over harmful videos posted online. The proposals, currently under consultation, would allow Ofcom to issue fines against platforms and websites if it judges they have failed to protect users from seeing harmful videos such as those…
Owner of far-right forum 8chan refutes ‘lawless’ accusation
The owner of far-right internet forum 8chan has refuted accusations that the platform is “lawless”, after the firm providing cybersecurity protection dropped support. Cloudflare decided to stop serving the forum for being a “cesspool of hate” whose “lawlessness has caused multiple tragic deaths”, the company said. The website has repeatedly been used by suspects in…
Far-right forum 8chan cut off by cybersecurity provider
The far-right internet forum 8chan, which has been linked to mass shootings in the US, has lost its cybersecurity protection after its provider Cloudflare cut off support. Cloudflare said it had terminated the website as a customer and called the forum a “cesspool of hate”. The website has repeatedly been used by suspects in mass…
Twitter account branded ‘homophobic’ after mass-blocking LGBTQ+ users
A Twitter profile set up in protest against inclusive sex education in UK schools has mass-blocked LGBTQ+ users. People who have had no interaction with the account have logged on to find they have been blocked from seeing tweets by @QuestionLGBTEdu. The account protests LGBTQ+ education in schools, referring to it as “dogma” and…
