Articles that explain core concepts and issues related to online hate and misinformation.
In the first half of 2026, the European Commission opened new investigations, issued preliminary findings, imposed fines, designated new VLOPs and VLOSEs, and accepted compliance plans under the Digital Services Act. The substance of these […]
Content warning: This article discusses suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, substance abuse, sextortion and sexual exploitation. Congress has only a few months left to turn years of hearings and promises into law. As lawmakers prepare to […]
Social media platforms don’t work like they used to. When Facebook first introduced its News Feed feature in 2006, the feed showed us what our friends were doing and allowed us to follow news outlets, celebrities, or other pages of our choosing. Now, algorithms are in great part responsible for […]
The spread of hate on social media and other digital platforms is a growing problem in our society. Hate or hate speech has always existed, but social media, AI, and other digital platforms make it […]
Over the years, the internet has had an undeniable importance for LGBTQ+ people in providing a safe space for communities to share interests, experiences, and fostering real connections. However, LGBTQ+ people are continuously targeted online […]
U.S. teenagers spend an average of 4.8 hours each day on social media, with 41% of teens with the highest social media usage rating their mental health as poor or very poor. In the UK, […]
The Digital Services Act (DSA) is a “rulebook” that regulates digital services in the European Union, including host providers, online marketplaces, and social media and search engine platforms. It is a key tool to improve […]
Online Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) is a growing cause of concern across the world. Like offline violence, it can lead to serious real-life consequences for women’s and girls’ physical and mental health, as […]
Advertising spending on social media is projected to reach $219.8 billion in 2024 worldwide. Brands are increasingly turning to social media to promote their products and services, encouraged by these platforms’ offer of detailed information […]
The United Kingdom will elect its next government on July 4th. The last Parliament succeeded in passing the Online Safety Act and establishing a world-leading regulatory regime, but failed to get rights for bereaved parents […]
For most companies, if they sell a product that harms consumers, people can hold them liable in a court of law for damages they suffer. However, uniquely, this is not the case for social media […]
Extreme misogyny and anti-feminist rhetoric are the foundations of a network of toxic online communities known as the manosphere. These communities promote different ideologies and ideas of masculinity but are united in their view that […]